The Flowers Fade

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Jennifer Grace

The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)

As we enter October and the weatherman predicts snow this weekend, I know my time caring for flowers this year is drawing to a close. One of the highlights of my summer was tending a friend’s flower garden. In May, we carefully planted each seed and seedling. In June, we covered the little plants when threats of frost continued. In July, we poured on extra water as the temperatures rose higher. And in August, we began cutting bouquets.

The “big as the moon” golden dahlias grew from starfish-shaped tubers shipped all the way from Holland. The ever-bearing cosmos shined forth with purples and pinks. The colorful zinnias towered beyond our expectations as they came from a tiny packet of Ace Hardware seeds. And the sunny greenhouse marigolds, cheerfully lined the edges, unconcerned that they were shorter than the others.

Throughout the days and weeks, I trimmed off the old blooms with a handy pair of Fisckers nippers. Even when I didn’t feel well, a trip to the garden to trim flowers always brightened my day. And as September rolled in with golden leaves on the trees, the flowers still bravely bloomed and I kept trimming. I have to say that this year, the flower garden was my second favorite time of the day, the first being my tea time with Jesus. In the garden you can forget your troubles and the troubles of this world, or you can lift each one in prayer to the Father up above. A poet wrote these lines long ago: One is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth (Dorothy Frances Gurney).

Every time I trimmed the fading blooms, the verse my husband reads every week for home church went through my mind: The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in the heaven! Even as these flowers fade this fall, your Word is forever in the heaven. And I need not be sad with the killing frost comes, for Your Word promises there will always be winter and summer, seedtime and harvest for as long as the earth remains. (see Isaiah 40:8, Psalm 119:89, Genesis 8:22)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your forever Word! Thank You, for Your forever promises. Thank You, Father, for creating this world with beautiful flowers. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to be our Savior, to shed Your blood for our sins, to die on the cross, and to rise again to eternal life that we may live in heaven with You someday! Your Word and promises are more beautiful than these flowers You created! I love You, Lord Jesus!

He has made everything beautiful in its time… Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NKJV)

Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 (NKJV)

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

…All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
But the word of the Lord endures forever.… 1 Peter:24–25 (NKJV)

More Tea Cupp Prayers, the book

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Jennifer Grace

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV)

All glory to Jesus, my Treasure! It’s finally here for you, More TEA CUPP Prayers, my third devotional book, packed with even more Bible verses and stories to draw ladies closer to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

More TEA CUPP Prayers has a Treasure to share:

“I had the Treasure but they didn’t know it. I wanted to give them the Treasure but they didn’t ask. They seemed to be content with their own treasures but I knew I had the best One. I pray they will find the Treasure.”

More TEA CUPP Prayers is an invitation to a Wedding:

“Come to the wedding! Dear sister, the wedding of all eternity is coming soon and you are invited! Jesus is making the crowning preparations right now, putting the finishing touches on His mansions, watering His garden of fruit trees, sending out the final invitations, praying for us as He anticipates the Day He will come to marry His bride, the Church.”

Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding. Matthew 22:9 (NKJV)

More TEA CUPP Prayers is Cries of a Grandma’s heart:

“Talitha, cumi. Talitha, cumi. Talitha, cumi.” Over and over, I prayed for my granddaughter as I worked all day. “Talitha, cumi. Little girl, arise.” Just as Jesus spoke to the daughter of Jairus in Mark 5 and she arose and had something to eat, I wanted that for Kennedy who at just short of 4 years of age had T-cell lymphoma cancer and could only sit on the sofa after weeks of treatments. I felt as Jairus did, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live” (Mark 5:23).

More TEA CUPP Prayers is ladies spending time with Jesus each day:

“Good Morning, Jesus…I peek around the gate and see You and Your Father on thrones… at first, I take timid steps, knowing I’m welcome because of Your work and blood You shed for me on the cross… but still I’m a little shy, perhaps You might be busy… like when my earthly Daddy was in his study preparing a lecture for his biophysics students… yet he was always glad to see me, and even more so are You… and so, I run boldly across the glimmering floor to Your throne of grace and jump into Your lap and say, “Father, I love You! Thank you for sending Your Son to die for my sins and all the world… thank You for taking care of us each day… You have kept us safe and given us praying friends… we have food and clothing and beds and a roof… and we trust You for the future… thank You, dearest Father for all Your blessings… thank You Jesus for the home You are preparing for us and the healing You are doing in our bodies… thank You for Your Word… open my eyes now that I may see wonderful things in Your Word and Law…”

“And so, begins another morning with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… dear sister, won’t you please join me? Come for TEA! Come to the Wedding! Come share in the Treasure! Come Home!”

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38

More TEA CUPP Prayers is More:

More TEA CUPP Prayers invites you to an even richer blend of TEA, Bible verses, and devotions. Be prepared to have your CUPP and heart overflowing with the Word of God: More thanksgiving, More exalting, More admitting, More calling, More understanding, More promises, More petitions, More devotions, More stories, More Bible verses, More tears, More prayers, More hope, More TEA time with Jesus, More ladies coming daily to the throne of God and bearing More fruit for His Kingdom, and More glory to God! Come to TEA, dear sister!

More TEA CUPP Prayers is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon Press, or by contacting Jennifer Grace.

Celebrating Bible Moms

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Jennifer Grace

…Deborah, arose,
Arose a mother in Israel. Judges 5:7 (NKJV)

In honor of mothers and the celebration of Mother’s Day, it’s fitting that we should visit a few more Special Bible Ladies today. We can celebrate these ladies as we honor our own dear mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and neighbors. 🌺

Let’s celebrate Miriam and her mother, Jochebed:

And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. Exodus 2:4 (NKJV)

When I think of Miriam, I imagine a little girl of about five or six years old, as she was often depicted in Sunday School stories. I see her clinging to the skirts of her mother, Jochebed, anxious for her baby brother Moses’ safety. You are likely familiar with the story. Pharoah had proclaimed that all the Hebrew baby boys should be drowned in the Nile River. Miriam’s mother just couldn’t do this to her little baby, so she hid him for three months. When he was too big to hide any longer, she made a basket of reeds lined with pitch. She put Moses in the basket and set him afloat in the Nile River. Big sister Miriam watched from behind a bush on the shore. When Pharoah’s daughter found baby Moses, Miriam bravely ran forward to ask if she needed a nurse for the baby (Exodus 2:7). Pharoah’s daughter accepted her offer, so Miriam ran to bring her own mother to nurse baby Moses for the Pharoah’s daughter. When Miriam and Moses and brother Aaron grew up, they never forgot their relationship. Aaron was Moses’ mouthpiece and high priest for Israel. After the crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam led the Israelites in singing and praising God. I love how Miriam, Jochebed, and the Pharoah’s daughter all stood up for LIFE of this baby who would one day lead God’s people. All three are special Bible ladies to be celebrated. (See also Numbers 26:59, Exodus 6:20, Hebrews 11:23)

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them:

“Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!” Exodus 15:20-21 (NKJV)

Dear Lord Jesus, help me stand up for the LIFE of babies like Miriam and her mother, Jochebed, and even like Pharoah’s daughter who adopted Moses. I claim your promise to triumph over the enemy. Help me praise You always as Miriam did.

Let’s celebrate Abigail whose wisdom saved her household:

The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb. 1 Samuel 25:3 (NKJV)

We meet Abigail in 1 Samuel 25. Her husband, Nabal, was having a sheep-shearing party. His shepherds had returned with their sheep unharmed because of the protection of David and his men in the field. I imagine David had a heart for shepherds because he was one once, too. (And the Son of David, Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd.) When David heard that Nabal was having a party, he sent some of his men to ask for food. But Nabal turned them away empty-handed. This made David so angry, he took 400 men to do vengeance upon Nabal. When the shepherds told Abigail, she quickly loaded donkeys with food fit for a king and took it all to David and his men. She even dismounted her own donkey and fell down before David, begging forgiveness for her household. David accepted her gift and turned back from harming Nabal. After the Lord struck Nabal and he died, David invited Abigail to be his wife. Abigail was mother to David’s second son, Chileab (1 Chronicles 3:3).

How Abigail washed David and his men’s feet was symbolic, for one day David’s seed Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and told them to go and do likewise. Abigail saved David from avenging himself (1 Samuel 25:26) and making himself a fool like Nabal. David was called to fight for Israel not himself. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Abigail gets credit for saving David from this disaster.

Dear Lord Jesus, give me Your understanding and make me beautiful inside to shine out to others and wash feet like Abigail!

Let’s celebrate Timothy’s faithful mom and grandma:

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)

We don’t know too much about Timothy’s mom Eunice and grandmother Lois. We first meet Timothy in Acts 16:1. Paul took Timothy in hand to be his missionary companion. Later, when writing to Timothy, Paul set out to encourage him by reminding him of the faith of his mom and grandma. Because of his grandma’s faith, his mom had faith. And because of his mom’s faith, Timothy had faith in the Lord Jesus. And you, dear one, have faith, too! Jesus said that if we have faith like a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20)!

Dear Lord Jesus, give me mountain-moving faith like Timothy’s mom and grandma. May our children and grandchildren follow our example and seek You as Timothy did.

Today’s TEA CUPP: All these ladies are beautiful daughters of the King, and so are you, dear sister! Jesus loves you so much that He came to earth and died on the cross for you. Whether you are a mom, a daughter, a sister, a wife, an aunt, a grandma, a teacher, or a neighbor, you are very special to God the Father. Find a mother or friend to bless this Mother’s Day. 🌺

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4 (NKJV)

A gracious woman retains honor… Proverbs 11:16 (NKJV)

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10 (NKJV)

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28 (NKJV)

…She has done what she could. Mark 14:8 (NKJV)

Wake Up, Jesus!

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Jennifer Grace

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38 (NKJV)

I was awake since 1 a.m., up since 3 a.m., reading my Bible, praying all my prayers, yet it was still dark. I cried out, “I watch for you, Jesus, more than watchmen wait for the morning. When will You come to answer my prayers? How long until soon?”

Remembering the missionary pastor who visited our church, I cried “Wake-up, Jesus!” Pastor Samuel said we need to wake up Jesus in our churches. He is sleeping in the stern of the boat. “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” I cried again (Mark 4:38).

Do You not care my pains are extra sharp this morning? Do You not care we are still homeless over a year after leaving our moldy home? Do You not care that we spend all this time in Your Word and prayer and seek You with all our hearts and live for You each day? Wake up, Jesus!

Don’t you care what is going on in our nation and world? They are fighting your dear land of Israel! Evil people are trying to end our elections in America. They are still trying to kill people with vaccines. “Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever” (Psalm 44:23).

…Awake to help me, and behold!
You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel,
Awake to punish all the nations;
Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors… Psalm 59:4-5 (NKJV)

Babies are still dying everyday from abortion, families are falling apart, schools are teaching evil subjects. Innocent people are being trafficked. Churches are going against Your Word. Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! (Psalm 83:1)

I cry again, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! (Psalm 80:1) Awake, awake, put on strength,
O arm of the Lord! Awake as in the ancient days,In the generations of old. Are You not the arm that cut Rahab apart, And wounded the serpent? (Isaiah 51:9)

Then I decree, it will be like in Isaiah 33 and Psalm 78: Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, Like a mighty man who shouts because of wine (Psalm 78:65). “Now I will rise,” says the Lord; “Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up (Isaiah 33:10).

Amen and Amen! Let it be so! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Wake up Jesus with your prayers! Read the story of Jesus asleep on the boat in Mark 4:35-41 and Psalm 107:23-32. Claim God’s promise in Psalm 121:4 that He will never sleep again.

Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4 (NKJV)

P.S. Dear one, God who created the sea can calm any storm on it. And God who created you and me can calm any storm in our lives, too.

Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication,
To my cause, my God and my Lord. Psalm 35:23 (NKJV)

The Lord on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:4 (NKJV)

The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:5 (NKJV)

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness. Psalm 96:11 (NKJV)

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 (NKJV)

Another Pot of Precious Promises

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Jennifer Grace

These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. John 16:1 (NKJV)

God’s blessings to you on your new year, dear sister in Christ! I hope your year is off to a good start. Perhaps like me you woke up with a terrible cold on January 1 and thought all the new year’s hopes and resolutions had gone out the window! But Jesus is merciful and healed my cold and gave me strength to press on and send my next book, More TEA CUPP Prayers, back to the publisher for the third time. HalleluYAH! All glory to Jesus!!! How I pray that it can be ready for you by Resurrection Sunday!

Ten years ago, I wrote a short devotion called Pouring a Pot of Precious Promises, written on a day I came across several promises in my daily Bible reading. As I was reading the book of John again in December, John 16 surprised me with many promises from Jesus, too. I thought, “we will have to pour another pot of precious promises for the ladies!”

I hope you’ll read John 16 for yourself and discover perhaps even more words that touch your heart. John 16 came at a sad time for Jesus. He knew He would soon go to the cross to die for our sins. (John 17 contains His last prayers for us all before He was betrayed). Jesus knew His disciples would need the promises recorded in John 16. If the disciples needed them then, I believe we also need these promises for 2024.

First, lets look at some of the not-happy promises…

The enemy will try to make us stumble (16:1).
The enemy will put us out of the churches (16:2).
The enemy will try to harm us (16:2).
We will have sorrow (16:20).
In the world we will have tribulation (16:33).
Somethings we can’t bear to hear now (16:12).

Do you find most of those promises are hard to hear? Me, too! Let’s keep reading, because Jesus gives us His comforting promises:

He will send us a Helper, the Holy Spirit (16:7).
The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement — sounds like a great revival! (16:8).
The Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth (16:13).
The Holy Spirit will tell us things to come (16:13).
The Holy Spirit will glorify God’s Son Jesus (16:14) — that way we’ll know it’s the Holy Spirit!
In a little while we will see Jesus (16:16) — Oh, what a glorious Day!
Our sorrow shall be turned to JOY! (16:20, 16:22).
Whatever we ask the Father in Jesus’ Name, He will give us (16:23).
The Father Himself loves us because we believe in His Son Jesus (16:27).
Jesus is our peace (16:33).
Be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world! (16:33).

Dear one, please be of good cheer, Jesus truly has overcome the world. He already conquered death and the devil when God the Father raised Him from the grave on the third day. He opened the door of heaven for all who believe in His Name. We can trust Him completely for He has a good, good plan.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Pour a pot of these precious promises in your teacup today, dear sister. You will need them this coming year. Read John 16 in your favorite Bible version. Then, write the most precious promises from your Bible in your prayer journal or on notecards on your bathroom mirror. Keep reading His Word and holding onto Jesus’ promises every day!

p.s. If you want to begin a new Bible reading plan this year, I’d like to recommend the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading Plan. I made some special bookmarks to use in this well-loved plan.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NKJV)

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. 1Corinthians 15:3-4 (NKJV)

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:9 (NKJV)

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14 (NKJV)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Choose Your 5 Stones!

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20 (NKJV)

Almost a year ago I wrote the devotion “Wrestling with Abba Father,” ironically published exactly one week before we left our home forever due to a mold outbreak, not knowing I’d do more wrestling in the coming year than ever before! I have to say that when you spend several hours a day on the mat wrestling for months on end, you learn more about fighting the good fight of faith!

I haven’t written much about spiritual warfare in My TEA CUPP devotions in the past, focusing more on other parts of prayer. But as our world continues its moral decline and trouble of all kinds abound for God’s children, it is important that we put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) and battle the enemy in prayer. Though Jacob wrestled with the Angel of God, our spiritual warfare is not against the Father, but rather in the name of Jesus we fight against evil forces of wickedness, Satan and his fallen angels with names like Leviathan, Legion, Baal and many others. Paul tells us, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

Our Lord Jesus knew all about spiritual warfare. Right after He was baptized, the Holy Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted for 40 days. At the end of those 40 days, Satan came to tempt Jesus. But Jesus did not give in to the devil’s tactics. He fought back with the Word of God, using the Sword of the Spirit to defend Himself (read Matthew 4:1-11). When Satan showed up again in the doubts of Peter, Jesus proclaimed, “Get behind Me, Satan!” ordering the devil away with His words (Matthew 16:21-23).

As I was reading the familiar story of David and Goliath a few weeks ago, I saw how it is a perfect example of using spiritual warfare in our prayers (1 Samuel 17). You all know the story of how David gathered the five stones to fight the giant Goliath for mocking the God of Israel. With only one stone, David won the battle, perhaps because the battle had already been won in prayer. Let’s look at what steps we must to do to be victorious like David in his spiritual battle over God’s enemy:

We pray (Psalm 27)
We obey our Father (1 Samuel 17:17-20)
We practice on a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37)
We size up the situation and ask permission (1 Samuel 17:20-30)
We gather our stones (1 Samuel 17:40)
We fight with the Word of God (1 Samuel 17:45-47)
We claim the victory! (1 Samuel 17:48-51)

I feel like I’ve been practicing on the lion and the bear this past year as we battled in prayer for healing and a home. I’ve progressed to gathering my stones and fighting the enemy with the Word of God. What does this look like? When I was on the verge of completing my third book, More TEA CUPP Prayers, I gathered my five stones. I knew the enemy did not want me to finish this as he had used every tactic to try to knock me out, from sickness to despair. So, on my final afternoon of writing, I wrote five promises from God’s Word in my prayer journal. These were my five stones to throw at the enemy if he came along during my writing. I wrote that day, Dearest Jesus, be with me to press on and finish More TEA CUPP! I claim these five stones of promise against Goliath in Your Name, Yeshua!

No weapon formed against me shall prosper (see Isaiah 54:17).
He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4).
He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 1:6).
I shall not die but live to declare the works of the Lord (see Psalm 118:17).
He shall give His angels charge over me to keep me in all His ways (see Psalm 91:11).

I also rebuked, in the Name of Yeshua Messiah, the “prince of the power of the air” from messing with the internet and computer (Ephesians 2:2)! And I’m delighted to say that day was a victory for God’s side as More TEA CUPP Prayers is now at the publisher! HalleluYAH! God be praised!

As I continued reading 1 Samuel, I remembered again David and Goliath. I noticed that David didn’t assume his first victory would guarantee the next victory over the enemy. When he came to battle again, David first …inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” (1 Samuel 23:2). That is a lesson for us, too: Keep asking the Father before battling the enemy, or we might become like the people in Acts who cast out demons in Jesus’ name and were attacked (see Acts 19).

Paul tell us, “for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). This reminds me of 2 Samuel 17:13 when Hushai gave advice to Absolom, saying they would use ropes to pull the city down into the river. That’s what we do with our prayers! Our prayers are like ropes, pulling the evil strongholds into the river! Dear one, you can do this! Stay in God’s Word, claim His promises, always keep on His armor as you pray and go through your days.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read 1 Samuel 17. Now it’s your turn. Pick your five Bible verse “stones” to have ready for the next spiritual battle. Put on the whole armor of God and stand! Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57)!

…be valiant for me, and fight the Lord’s battles. 1Samuel 18:17 (NKJV)

…the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s... 1Samuel 17:47 (NKJV)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV)

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 1Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV)

Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1Corinthians 9:26-27 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. 2Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare. 1Timothy 1:18 (NKJV)

Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1 (NKJV)

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 2Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV)

Tea in the Storm

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

I first published this devotion on October 9, 2019, before covid, before the riots, before the 2020 elections, before January 6… I heard another storm of tsunami proportions is coming, a shaking this fall (2023) to bring our nation to its knees. Dear one, I tell you to fear not! Be steadfast, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12). Keep trusting Jesus!

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2 (NKJV)

God has always been in the storms. Ever since He created the earth, His Spirit has hovered over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). Today with hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, blizzards, cancer, rushing children to hospitals, family difficulties, government corruption…we may wonder where God is. Yet He is right there, ready to carry us through the storm.

When He utters His voice—
There is a multitude of waters in the heavens:
“He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
He makes lightnings for the rain;
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.” Jeremiah 51:16 (NKJV)

One Sunday our pastor gave a sermon on the passage from Mark 4:35-41 about Jesus calming the sea. He pointed out for us in Mark 4:36 where it says, “And other little boats were also with Him.” There are other little boats on the sea, too. We aren’t the only ones in this storm. Others need Jesus’ help and our example of faith. Let’s ask Jesus to calm the storm for everyone. Today I give you a special TEA CUPP with verses from this story.

T for Thanksgiving:

He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still…
…Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:29,31 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:41 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:40 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Mark 4:35 (NKJV)

U for Understanding:

Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. Mark 4:36-37 (NKJV)

P for Promises:

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 (NKJV)

P for Petitioning:

But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read the amazing story in Mark 4:35-41, The Sea is Stilled. Read Acts 27 or the book of Jonah for more storm stories. Use these verses as conversation starters in your prayer time with Jesus today, all week, or any time you or loved ones are going through a storm. You can claim God’s promise to still the waves. You can wake Jesus up and ask Him, “Don’t You care?” You can stand amazed at His miracles and proclaim, “Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey Him?”

…Awake to help me, and behold! Psalm 59:4 (NKJV)

You who still the noise of the seas,
The noise of their waves,
And the tumult of the peoples. Psalm 65:7 (NKJV)

The waters saw You, O God;
The waters saw You, they were afraid;
The depths also trembled. Psalm 77:16 (NKJV)

You rule the raging of the sea;
When its waves rise, You still them. Psalm 89:9 (NKJV)

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.
The Lord on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:3–4 (NKJV)

He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still. Psalm 107:29 (NKJV)

He stirs up the sea with His power,
And by His understanding He breaks up the storm. Job 26:12 (NKJV)

(See also Exodus 19:16, 20:18, Job 36:26-33, Job 37)

In His Courtroom

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4 (NKJV)

…Like a prince I would approach Him. Job 31:37 (NKJV)

We can enter because He has torn the curtain. We can enter because we are His children, bought with His blood on the cross. We can enter because He has made us pure and righteous by His same blood. We can enter because He wants to hear from us. And so, I enter to tell Him my troubles…

Good Morning, Lord Jesus…I peek around the gate and see You and Your Father on thrones… at first, I take timid steps, knowing I’m welcome because of Your work and blood You shed for me on the cross… but still I’m a little shy, perhaps You might be busy… like when my earthly Daddy was in his study preparing a lecture for his biophysics students… yet he was always glad to see me, and even more so are You… and so, I run boldly across the glimmering floor to Your throne of grace and jump into Your lap and say, “Father, I love You!… Thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins and all the world’s… thank you for Your free gift of salvation… thank You for hope.. thank You my name is written in heaven… thank You for taking care of us each day… thank you for praying friends… thank you for food and clothing and a place to sleep this month… and we trust You beyond that… thank You, dearest Father/Jesus for all Your blessings… thank You for the home You are preparing for us and the healing You will do in our bodies… thank You for the little things, like a text from a friend who cares, a smile from our son, a prayer from my husband… thank You for Your Word… O Father, O Jesus, I praise and exalt You for You are the Most High over all the earth, God Almighty, Creator of the Universe… You are my Savior… You are YHVH Rapha, our Healer… You are YHVH Yireh, our Provider.. You are YHVH Nissi, our Victory… How can I complain to One so Awesome?… Forgive me, O Father, I’m not worthy… I don’t deserve Your death and resurrection… I don’t deserve Your grace and mercy… I don’t deserve Your love and life, yet You graciously give it all to me… Forgive me again for always falling short of Your glory… Wash me clean by Your precious blood… I admit my sins to You and ask Your forgiveness, make me new… Thank you, dearest Jesus, Yeshua, my Messiah… And now, please, may I pour out my troubles?… No? Wait? You have a calling for me? You want me to do something for You first? Is this just to distract me from my complaint?… What can I do for You, Father?… How can I glorify You and Your Son?… Who needs our help?… May I bear fruit for You, too?… Thank You for giving me this assignment… I will press on, I will persevere, I will do it with the strength You provide… please keep helping and guiding me… So, about my troubles… Oh, You want to tell me a story? I know, You always like parables, but this isn’t a parable? Oh! It’s about me? You want to teach me a little more about my story and why you are letting these trials come through my life?… You have a verse for me that describes it perfectly?… Thank You, Father, that’s just what I needed, to know… You understand and You have a plan and others have gone through this same trial before… You will see me through this, too… And You have promises for me?… Oh, thank You, what are they?… You are the God who sees me and knows me and loves me… You will work all things together for good… You who have begun a good work in me will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ… And, You ARE coming again! Those are wonderful promises! I’ll write them in my journal… Thank You, Lord Jesus… Now, what did I come in here to ask You about?… I wrote down this verse, I wanted to petition You and complain in Your courtroom and argue my case, but it doesn’t seem so important anymore… Perhaps someone else will need this verse and You will hear their complaint and I’ll encourage them for You…

See now, I have prepared my case,
I know that I shall be vindicated. Job 13:18 (NKJV)

Then Job answered and said: “Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His seat! I would present my case before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.” Job 23:1-4 (NKJV)

Present your case,” says the Lord.
“Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob. Isaiah 41:21 (NKJV)

Put Me in remembrance;
Let us contend together;
State your case, that you may be acquitted. Isaiah 43:26 (NKJV)

Therefore thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance for you…” Jeremiah 51:36 (NKJV)

O Lord, You have seen how I am wronged;
Judge my case. Lamentations 3:59 (NKJV)

Hear now what the Lord says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, And let the hills hear your voice.” Micah 6:1 (NKJV)

4:7 I Thank My God

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

Today I continue my 4:7 Prayers, Petitions and Proclamations…

Philemon 4-7… I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother…. I thank my God for you, dear TEA CUPP Sisters, making mention of you always in my prayers. I’m so excited to hear how you sit down each morning with your Bible and a cup of tea to spend time in prayer with Jesus. And that your time in the Lord has been fruitful as you’ve prayed for family, friends and loved ones. You have refreshed their souls and mine and given me great joy. I thank Jesus again for you as I carry out the dream God put on my heart, to change this nation for Jesus, one TEA CUPP at a time. HalleluYAH! Amen! ❤️

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 🎶Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within: Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin. 🎶 (Julia H. Johnston, 1911). Thank you, dearest Jesus, for Your grace which brought me to You. I remember the first time someone explained grace and mercy to me. They said grace is the Father giving us a gift we don’t deserve, while mercy is You not giving us what we deserve. Like giving the little boy who hits his sister a lollipop (grace) instead of a spank and the time-out chair (mercy). When You died on the cross for us, Lord Jesus, that was ultimate mercy, taking the punishment for all our sins. Then You rose to eternal life and are giving us gifts, some prophecy, some teaching, some evangelism, some hospitality, and the best gift of all, eternal life (grace)! Thank You, Father, for sending us Your Son. Thank You, Jesus, for Your mercy and grace and good gifts. We thank and praise and love You forever and ever and ever! Amen! ❤️

Amos 4:7 I also withheld rain from you, When there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, And where it did not rain the part withered. Oh, Jesus, first I want to thank You for the rain and snow You’ve sent to Montana, the ranchers are all so glad. Yet it seems like it isn’t just You who is sending and withholding rain in recent years, but the devil himself is seeding clouds, blocking the sun’s rays, making the wind blow extra hard, and even controlling hurricanes. O Father, You are the Creator of all, even the weather… indeed the wind and sea obey You (Luke 8:25)… don’t let anyone mess with Your creation! Take back Your power over the weather! We would rather be under Your judgment with the weather than under the curse of the enemy. O Jesus, You died for this also! Come and rescue us and our weather. Make the land fertile again. Reign over us and rain down blessings upon us. Thank you, dearest Jesus! All our springs are in You (Psalm 87:7)! Amen! ❤️

He gives rain on the earth,
And sends waters on the fields. Job 5:10 (NKJV)

In summer 2022, the Lord called me to write 4:7 Petitions, Prayers, and Proclamations… I heard the Lord saying, “Pay attention to 4:7!” I started reading every 4:7 verse in the Bible. When there wasn’t a 4:7, I read the closest verse. I used these verses as Prayers, Petitions, and Proclamations to the throne room of Christ our Savior. Bit by bit, I’m sharing them with you, my TEA CUPP Sisters. Thank you for reading and praying 4:7!

But we see Jesus

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Jennifer Grace

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 (NKJV)

But we see Jesus... these four words from God’s Word have been filling my thoughts during the past few months. As we endured the hardships of a mold evacuation and relocation, we have seen Jesus at work in our lives. From my husband’s knee to two Gideon Bilbes to our milking goat, we have seen the miracles of Jesus.

…nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)

But we see Jesus… in my husband’s knee… In early November, my husband Kent’s knee started feeling funny at a Thursday Taekwondo workout with our youngest son Joel. By the next day, it was swollen to three times its normal size and he could barely walk. We attended our Friday fellowship that evening where they laid hands on his knee for over half an hour and prayed for him in Jesus’ Name. While they were praying, his knee visibly shrank, but still had a little swelling. The next day it was still sore and Kent thought one of the titanium screws from his 2002 surgery had pulled loose. We found his old brace and he started wearing that, continuing all his farm chores, snow shoveling and working. One day after about a week, my husband forgot to wear his brace to work and never put it on again! But the knee was still swollen in the evenings, so he kept his December doctor appointment where he had the surgery twenty years ago. The doctor took four X-rays and said, “It’s just arthritis! Keep doing what you’re doing, working, walking, hiking, doing Taekwondo and all. All the screws are in place! Staying active is the best thing.” And so, we praised Jesus for this amazing healing, especially at a time when we needed a little extra good news! 🙏🥰

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, Psalm 105:4-5 (NKJV)

But we see Jesus… in two Gideon Bibles… The morning after our final mold evacuation, we awoke at a guest house, so thankful for beds, mattresses, and quilts for a good night’s sleep. Yet now it was morning when I like to have my quiet time with Jesus. All of our books had been thrown away because of mold spores, but I could not let my Bible be tossed out with all the notes in the margins and prayers for family and friends. So my Bible was packed into one of the many boxes that went to storage. How could I have my morning tea time with Jesus? He had a plan!

Way back in 2011, when we first left church camp ministry to begin caring for guest houses, we had asked a friend who is a Gideon if he had some Bibles we could place in the houses for which we caretake. Our friend was glad to provide the Bibles and we placed them in two of the guest houses. Only the Lord knew that years later, we would be homeless and the owners would so graciously let us stay in one of these very guest houses. That morning after our evacuation, I went to the bedside table where I thought the Bibles might be, and sure enough, the two Gideon Bibles were still there! One for me and one for my husband! Kent said most of Ephesians and Galatians were missing from his, we hope a guest enjoyed those so much he wanted to take them home! And so, I never missed a morning of reading my Bible, because 11-1/2 years before we had placed Gideon Bibles in the very guest house that we would someday visit as “homeless” people on a cold winter day. And now a friend has given us new Bibles, too. God is so good!

I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure. Psalm 119:162 (NKJV)

But we see Jesus… in our milking goat… And here is one last story you will like… we first got the goats because Joel can’t digest cows’ milk. Our goats have been such a blessing with the mama Gloria producing enough milk for Joel and sharing with others. However, with everything going on in November, we thought we should dry-up our mama goat to make our move easier. Kent reduced the grain and started milking less, but she kept producing! Gloria would not dry-up, she kept giving milk! And so, Kent started giving her the usual amount of grain again and she is in full production, being milked twice a day. Joel has plenty of milk to drink and we have extra to share… it’s like the flour and oil that were never used up during the famine in 1 Kings 17! God is so very good! 💗🐐🥛

For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:16 (NIV)

But we see Jesus… in the love of brothers and sisters… thank you so much for all your care and prayers. My tears in God’s bottle are now tears of joy! We thank Jesus for you!

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:3-4 (NIV)

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9 (NKJV). O Jesus, we see you… this is our story! We see You! For like Stephen, the clouds have parted, the heavens are open, You are sitting at the right hand of the Father, saying, “Hold on a little longer.”

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read 2 Chronicles 20 for an amazing prayer, story, and promises from God’s Word. Keep looking to HIM, Jesus loves you so much, dear sister! He sees you and cares about you. He knows exactly what’s going on in your life right now. Keep looking to Yehovah God, Yeshua Messiah, Our Lord and Savior!

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

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)

If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save. 2 Chronicles 20:9 (NKJV)

…Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15 (NKJV)

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you… 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV)

...Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever. 2 Chronicles 20:21 (NKJV)

But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord;
In You I take refuge;
Do not leave my soul destitute. Psalm 141:8 (NKJV)

Therefore I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
My God will hear me. Micah 7:7 (NKJV)

The cherubim spread out their wings above, and covered the mercy seat with their wings. They faced one another; the faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat. Exodus 37:9 (NKJV)

My TEA CUPP Prayers

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

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