Tag Archives: My Tea Cupp Prayers

My Two Daddies in Heaven

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One month ago today my Daddy went to be with Jesus.  I’ve been wanting to write them both a letter…

Dear Daddy and Daddy,

You are both in heaven now.

My Father who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. You’ve always been there from the beginning of time, creating this world, knitting us together, watching over us, saving us through the precious blood of Your Son Jesus, guiding us with your Holy Spirit, and covering us with Your wing.  You gave me the best earthly Daddy and planned that now was a good time to take him to be with You. And, of course, I wrestle with Your plans as Jacob wrestled the Angel so long ago.  Did you really need my earthly Daddy right away?  Yet I’m so very thankful he is with You!

You are both in heaven together, Father God and Daddy Jon.  How’s it going up there?  I imagine the Creator of the Universe and the professor are having some good scientific discussions.  Are there more than seven colors in the rainbow?  Are you doing any experiments with quartz crystals and refracted light?  Can you look at the stars through a telescope or are they right beside you? Is Father God explaining how He made all this cool stuff out of tiny particles, or does it not really matter anymore?  Are you enjoying friends and family, Daddy?  I imagine you have no more pain in your hip or knee, and you are so strong, carrying our babies on your shoulders.

I’m so thankful you are both together now.  Thank you, Father God, for giving me time with my Daddy in his last days here.  Of course, I’d still like one more visit, one more chat around the kitchen table, one more hike in the forest, one more story with Grandpa on the sofa, one more chess game with Jacob.  But those last days were special when I asked Daddy if he loved You and he squeezed my hand.  Oh, Jesus, thank You for letting Him be Yours!

Oh, Daddy, I keep thinking you are taking a nap or have run an errand, that soon you will come down the stairs for your 10 O’clock coffee and work on the crossword puzzle.  I want to send you an email about everyone who came to see you and how Mommy held up beautifully, but maybe you already know this.  Karen was with you every day, researching your condition and talking to nurses.  Reid and Scott flew all the way from opposite coasts to be with you, then flew back to their wives, Carmen and Cheryl, who drove with them to your service.  George came for the longest time and took care of Mommy and the home-front as you knew he would, and surprised us all by singing “Swing Low” at your burial.

All your grandkids came for the service, even Bess made it from Russia and Jacob flew in from Cyprus.  And your great-granddaughter Kennedy Grace brought everyone joy with her smiles and running around the sanctuary. Nathan and Jacob shared wonderful memories at your service and Kevin played a moving Pachelbel’s Canon in D and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.  Kevin also collaborated with family members to present a Grandpa slide show.  Kallie, Emily, Joel, Lennie, Kent, Wendy and Jenny Anne and many friends, neighbors and people from your department also braved the weather to cheer up Mommy and remember you. Father God kept us all well and safe through the worst snow and roads and even when it was zero degrees and the snow was falling at the cemetery, He was there with us.

Oh, Jesus, thank You that Daddy was 85 when You took him to heaven, just like Caleb was 85 when he entered the Promised Land. Thank You that Daddy used to play “Them Bones” on the banjo, and now You are breathing new life into his bones.  Thank You for preparing this place for Daddy in heaven and now he is there with You.  And thank You that goodness and mercy followed Daddy all the days of his life, and now he dwells in Your House forever.

I love you both!  I miss you, Daddy!  Father God, please take good care of Daddy until you call the rest of us home and we have that great big family reunion.

Love, Jenny Grace

 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.” Ezekiel 37:5 (NKJV)

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3 (NKJV)

 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)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever. Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)

Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 (NKJV)

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:43 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

TEA with Hebrews 13

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The goal of My TEA CUPP Prayers is to get you reading your Bible, listening to God, underlining verses that speak to you, and using those verses as conversation starters as you pray and have TEA with Jesus each day.  Eventually, all you will need is your Bible and you can share My TEA CUPP Prayers with a friend to get her started.  Inviting ladies to TEA with the King of kings…that’s our mission.  You are invited, my dear TEA CUPP friend.  Here are some verses from Hebrews 13 to get you started today…

T for Thanksgiving
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

…the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant…through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have…Hebrews 13:5a (NKJV)

 C for Calling:

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV)

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:

…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5b (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning:

Grace be with you all. Amen. Hebrews 13:25 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Soak yourself in Hebrews 13 today.  Read the chapter.  Underline your favorite verses.  Use these verses to pray with Jesus, pouring out your heart to Him. Keep this routine every day as you read your Bible and find more verses that God shows you.  May God bless you, dear friend!

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Be One of the Faithful

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 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 14:14 (NKJV)

Sometimes the books of the Old Testament prophets can be long and difficult to read, with much prophecy and destruction, because God’s people kept turning away from Him.  But there are still good verses tucked in there to exhort and encourage us in our walk with God.

The verse above from Ezekiel 14:14 was one of these that caught my eye.  When we read, “Noah, Daniel and Job,”  we feel connected, since most of us have heard their stories: Noah’s Ark, Daniel and the Lions, The Patience of Job.  The following verses remind us of each one.

…Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9 (NKJV)

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:10 (NKJV)

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. Job 1:1 (NKJV)

A just man who walked with God, a man of prayer, a blameless and upright man…These are all great Bible heroes, strong in their faith.  So, what does Ezekiel 14:14 tell us?  It says that even if those three faithful men were there, they would only save themselves and no one else from God’s impending destruction.

What does this mean for us?  John McCarthur says in his notes on Ezekiel 14:14, “one man’s righteousness is no protection for another.” (MacArthur, 1997) We can’t take comfort that we live in a country founded under God, or that our neighbor attends church, or that our grandmother prayed for us.  We must make the decision for ourselves, confess Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raise Him from the dead, and we will be saved (Romans 10:9).

Even if we hangout with our pastor’s family or Bible study leader, though these are very good things to do, we won’t be delivered.  We must “hang out” with the King of kings, the Savior of our souls, God’s only Son who gave His life for our sins on the Cross, pouring out His blood to wash us clean.  We must be friends with Jesus.

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Be friends with Jesus.  Have TEA with Him each day, reading His Word, the Bible, pouring out your heart to Him in prayer.  As you begin this new year, ask God to help you walk with Him each day as did Noah, Daniel, Job, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Ruth, and so many others Bible heroes.

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:23-24 (NKJV)

MacArthur, J. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc. (p. 1168)

 Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Many thanks to my Discipleland Sunday school curriculum for the Bible hero pictures I enjoy each week in our classroom!

Shepherd’s Pie

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I love to have a Christmas theme with our holiday meals.  This Christmas Eve we will have Shepherd’s Pie and Angel Food Cake!  You can’t beat that for sharing the Greatest Story while enjoying a family meal.  We will talk about how the shepherds were just sitting in their field, talking and watching their sheep as they did every night since they could remember.  When, boom, up in the sky appeared an angel, proclaiming to them:

…“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”   Luke 2:10-14 (NKJV)

And what did the shepherds do when they heard this Good News from the angels?  They left their posts and headed straight into town to find the baby Jesus.  Let’s leave what we are doing to find Jesus, too. Pop this shepherd’s pie in the oven or crockpot on Christmas Eve and head out to church.

  • Ingredients:
  • 5 lb. bag white potatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon basil
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups almond or goat milk
  • salt and pepper
  • A variety of veggies, making 4-6 cups, including:
  • onion
  • garlic (optional)
  • carrots
  • celery
  • yellow peppers
  • green beans
  • peas
  • 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 can tomatoes, diced
  • parsley flakes or fresh
  • paprika

Peel and quarter the potatoes. Put in a pot and cover with water.  Bring to a boil, and boil gently for 20-25 minutes.  (Prepare your other veggies while the potatoes are cooking.)  Drain water.  Mash the potatoes, then add basil, olive oil, milk, salt and pepper.  Beat until fluffy.  Set aside.

Sauté the onion in olive oil.  Add remaining veggies and seasonings, add firmer vegetables first and finally tomatoes right at the end. Cook 10–15 minutes total, or until veggies are starting to soften.  Transfer sautéd veggies to a 3 quart casserole dish or crockpot.  Add the bay leaf.  Spread the mashed potatoes on top.

Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes (set oven timer if you are going to church), or in the crockpot for 1-2 hours on high.  Just before serving, sprinkle with parsley and paprika. Serve with cheese slices, cranberry sauce, and other holiday favorites.

And for dessert, the day before, whip up this easy Angel Food Cake mix!

Now you can enjoy Shepherd’s Pie and Angel Food Cake and tell the Christmas story while you eat!  Have a blessed Christmas, everyone!!!

Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

Scripture taken the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Thank you to Jesus The Good Shephed Clip Art!

Christmas Quiche

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Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)

Celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus is always a special day with our family.  From church to presents to meals, it is a full day (thank you, Jesus, for these blessings!). So we don’t get too worn out in the midst of celebrating, and I still have time for my morning TEA with Jesus, quick and bake-ahead recipes make the day even better.

Recently I discovered our Town and Country grocery store carries gluten-free pie crusts. What a joy to be able to make quick pies and quiches again!  And with dairy-free cheese, even more people may eat this tasty meal. You will love this quiche for Christmas breakfast, brunch, lunch or even supper!

Ingredients:
1 prepared gluten-free pie crust
1 1/2 cups Daiya shredded or goat cheese
1 cup chopped veggies (the quiche in the picture has black olives, spinach, and broccoli)
4 eggs
1 cup almond or goat milk
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Set out the prepared pie shell. Layer in one cup of the non-dairy cheese https://klonopintabs.com shreds and then the 1 cup veggies.  In a bowl, combine the eggs, almond milk, garlic, salt and pepper.  Beat well.  Pour the egg mixture over the veggies.  Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup non-dairy cheese on top.  Bake for one hour, or until golden on top and set on the inside (when I used spinach, it took longer because of the extra moisture).  Remove from oven and allow to cool a bit before slicing.

Extra ideas:  My son Jacob adds Turmeric with the garlic for health benefits. You can bake this ahead of time and serve for any meal.  Keeps well for leftovers, so make more than one.  Enjoy!  Merry Christmas Quiche!

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Simply Gluten-Free Biscuits

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Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? Luke 14:34 (NKJV)

Family members always enjoy a little bread on the side with their meals, and holidays are no exception.  These biscuits are simple to whip up for Christmas dinner or any time of the year. Serve with honey or jam.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
3/4 cup almond or coconut milk
3 Tablespoons honey
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients:  flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum.  Blend well with a wire wisk.  Next add the wet ingredients:  Coconut oil, almond milk, honey, and egg.  Mix only until dry ingredients are all incorporated.  Use an ice cream scoop to spoon the batter onto the prepared pan.  Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with honey or jam.

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 (NKJV)

…With all your offerings you shall offer salt.  Leviticus 2:13 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Anna’s Peanut Butter Cups

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It’s time to make holiday treats again!  If you’re like me, you are eager to try new recipes.  But often that is tricky if you need to make gluten-free and dairy-free confections.  My friend Anna served these at a gathering for homeschool moms this fall.  She had a bowl full of them in her fridge. They are so tasty, I don’t think a bowl would last very long in my fridge!

So this begins my Holiday Recipes section of Gluten-Free with your TEA. I thought it would be a blessing for my family to have all our favorites gathered together in one place.  If you are looking for some gluten-free, dairy-free Holiday ideas, these recipes are for you!  And enjoy these delicious treats from my friend Anna!

Ingredients:
Peanut Layer:
1/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter
2 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Layer:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened baking cocoa)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey

Line a mini-muffin pan with 24 liners.  Make the peanut layer first.  Melt the coconut oil either in a pan on the stove or in a glass dish in the microwave.  Remove from heat to a potholder on the counter. Then stir in the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla.  Mix well, then carefully spoon into your prepared muffin cups.  Set the pan in the fridge while you make the chocolate layer.

Next, make the chocolate layer.  Again, melt the coconut oil either in a pan on the stove or in a glass dish in the microwave.  Remove from heat to a potholder on the counter.  Stir in cocoa powder, vanilla, and honey.  Mix well.  Take your muffin pan out of the fridge. It is okay for the nut layer to still be soft.  Carefully spoon the chocolate layer over the nut layer.  Your muffin cups will be full to the top.  Place the completed peanut butter cups back in the fridge to harden for at least an hour.  Now stand guard at the fridge because these will disappear quickly!

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

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

 

 

Pumpkin & Pecan Pies

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My kids have been asking for these recipes, so I thought I would put them here where all of us can easily find them! Our favorite pumpkin pie recipe came from an old church cookbook that had half a dozen pumpkin pie recipes.  I finally starred the one I liked best. Our favorite pecan pie recipe came from the Joy of Cooking recipe book we were given at our wedding over 28 years ago!  Both recipes have been adapted to be gluten-free and dairy-free.  Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas pies!

Pumpkin Pie Ingredients:
1 prepared gluten-free pie crust
2 cups cooked pumpkin from the garden or 1 can pumpkin
(To cook pumpkin, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash a small or medium pumpkin.  Slice pumpkin in half. Scoop out all the seeds and goop.  Place cut side down on a baking pan lined with tin foil and parchment paper.  Poke outer skin with a fork.  Bake for 60-90 minutes until tender.  Remove from oven.  Carefully turn pumpkins over to let out steam.  When cool, scoop out cooked pumpkin.  You can freeze cooked pumpkin in containers to make pies later).

1 1/2 cups coconut milk
2 eggs
3/4 cup coconut or monk sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Set out prepared gluten-free pie crust.  Place remaining ingredients in a blender container.  Blend on high for 30 seconds.  Pour into prepared pie shell.  Bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees.  Reduce temperature to 375 and bake 45-75 more minutes, depending on how moist your pumpkin was.  While the pumpkin pies are baking, you can whip up your pecan pie. When pumpkin pies seem set and golden on top, remove from oven and cool on cooling racks.  These keep well in the fridge and can even be frozen!

Pecan Pie Ingredients:
1 prepared gluten-free pie crust
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup packed coconut or monk brown sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup honey or molasses
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups pecan pieces or halves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, or put in oven with pumpkin pies when you reduce heat to 375.  Set out prepared gluten-free crust.  Mix remaining ingredients in a medium bowl in order given.  Spoon the mixture into the prepared pie shell.  Bake for 45 minutes or until it seems set and golden on top.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Now stand guard because these pies are delicious!

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV)

So fun to have my recipes handy at myteacuppprayers.org when my family whips up the pies!

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

My Light TEA

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 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 (NJKV)

The Season of Light is upon us!  Christmas lights sparkle from homes as we drive through town.  Candles bring cheer inside as the sun disappears at 4:30 p.m.  During this time of Advent, we prepare our hearts for Jesus coming as the Light of the world.  And so a CUPP of Light TEA is in order.  Bask in the Light of Christ as you sip this Light TEA during the month of December.

T for Thanksgiving:

Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:12 (NKJV)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NKJV)

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Psalm 112:4 (NKJV)

Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light! Psalm 148:3 (NKJV)

He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22 (NKJV)

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel. Luke 2:32 (NKJV)

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:4-5 (NKJV)

Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:16 (NJKV)

A for Admitting:

There are those who rebel against the light;
They do not know its ways
Nor abide in its paths. Job 24:13 (NKJV)

You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 90:8 (NKJV)

But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:23 (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)

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

 C for Calling:

O house of Jacob, come and let us walk
In the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5 (NKJV)

If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. Isaiah 58:10 (NKJV)

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

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 (NKJV)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.  Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:

For You have delivered my soul from death.
Have You not kept my feet from falling,
That I may walk before God
In the light of the living? Psalm 56:13 (NKJV)

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)

P is for Promises:

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 (NKJV)

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

He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:6 (NKJV)

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 89:15 (NKJV)

You will make your prayer to Him,
He will hear you,
And you will pay your vows.
You will also declare a thing,
And it will be established for you;
So light will shine on your ways. Job 22:27-28 (NKJV)

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8 (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning:

There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. Psalm 4:6 (NKJV)

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle. Psalm 43:3 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season. Join the Savior of your soul, Jesus, for TEA each day. Underline your favorite verses in your Bible. Use these Light verses as conversation starters as you pray and pour out your heart to the Lord.  Merry Advent!

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Moan Noisily

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Attend to me, and hear me;
I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily.  Psalm 55:2 (NKJV)

We’ve all heard the child moaning noisily, from the line at the grocery store to our own kitchen. Waaaaaaaaaah-wooooooooo-weeeeee-waaaaaah!  Kids are experts at the art of moaning, whether it is warranted or not.

Did you know it’s okay for us to moan noisily, too?  Sure thing! Doesn’t Jesus tell us to come to the Father as a child?

Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. Luke 18:17 (NKJV)

So we come to Him as a child, crying and bawling and whining and moaning, ever so noisily.  And He doesn’t turn us away.  He opens His arms and holds us close and hears our complaint and assures us of His perfect plan.

The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms… Deuteronomy 33:27 (NKJV)

Did you know Jesus Himself, when He walked this earth, moaned noisily? When His good friend Lazarus died, Jesus wept and groaned within Himself, before raising Lazarus from the dead…

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. John 11:38 (NKJV)

Today when we don’t have the words to say, but all we can do is cry out in anguish, moaning noisily, God has sent His Holy Spirit to pray for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered.  Even the Holy Spirit groans…

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)

Not only do Jesus and the Holy Spirit moan, the whole earth has been moaning! Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were kicked out of the garden, all creation has been crying out to be delivered from its bondage of corruption…

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Romans 8:22 (NKJV)

If Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and all creation are groaning, we can groan, too. Yes, my friend, it is okay to moan noisily and let God hear your complaint.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Moan noisily.  I’m serious.  If you’ve been holding back at your TEA time with Jesus, just sharing small talk and not really pouring out your heart, today is the day.  Give Jesus all your hurts and sadness.  Tell Him you don’t like what’s going on in your world.  Unload your burdens on Jesus and let Him carry them today. 

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.  Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:23 (NKJV)

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson