Calling the Seraphim

When[leaders lead in Israel,
When the people willingly offer themselves,
Bless the Lord Judges 6:2 (NKJV)

The Lord God has been calling His children to anoint the borders of the USA and its states this summer.  Many are doing so while on vacation or as they make special trips for this very purpose. You can read about this amazing work of the Church in Dutch Sheet’s Paint Your State.  I received word of this border anointing just after returning from a trip to see family and wondered how I could still help while at home.  Let me share how Jesus has called me to join the “painting” of the states and perhaps it will inspire you to do the same!

Almost every morning, I take a walk down the country road where we are temporarily living in a camper.  The road goes over Interstate 90 and up into the mountains.  As I walk across the I90 overpass bridge, I see oodles of trucks, cars, campers, boats, motorcycles and so forth, traveling from west to east and from east to west.  And so, in the Name of Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ our Lord), I have anointed this overpass bridge!

Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers.  Judges 7:16 (NKJV)

I’ve prayed for the Lord’s seraphim angels to station themselves on this bridge with trumpets in one hand and a pitcher in the other like Gideon’s 300 soldiers (Judges 7:16).  As each vehicle passes beneath the bridge, I pray these seraphim will pour their pitchers, anointing these vehicles with the Holy Spirit.  May their pitchers be full of new oil that never runs dry (Psalm 92:10, 1 Kings 17:14-16).  And God’s Spirit will go from Seattle to Boston, from Boston to Seattle, from West to East and from East to West. 

But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox;
I have been anointed with fresh oil.  Psalm 92:10 (NKJV)

The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.  1 Kings 17:16 (NKJV)

I’ve asked the Lord to station these seraphim not just on my I90 bridge, but on all the I90 bridges across the country!  And not just on I90, but on ALL interstate bridges across our land!  So now the oil is being poured out from West to East, from East to West, from North to South, and from South to North!!!  Every vehicle will receive the blessing! Yehovah Rapha, our healing God, will heal this land! And Yehovah Shamar, our Shield, will protect this land!  America Shall be saved!  I command the forward our forefathers founded this nation on in the Name of Yeshua Messiah!  Go, Jesus!  

So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  2 Kings 6:16-17 (NKJV)

I’ve also asked Jesus to open my eyes to see these seraphim as he did for Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6:16-17, so that I can see those who are with us are more than those who are with the enemy. Though blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29).

Another thing I’ve been doing is praying the scriptures.  Many of you know I follow the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan.  So, with the verses I’ve read these past few weeks, I’ve prayed and written in my prayer journal for the USA….

When you have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed down to them, then the anger of the Lord will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.”  Joshua 23:16 (NKJV)

…Yeshua Messiah, forgive this nation. Hear the cries of Your children who live here.  Turn hearts back to You! Pour out Your Holy Spirit. Forgive this land! Station Your angel armies at every border and highway and river! 

How long will the land mourn…? Jeremiah 12:14 (NKJV)

...Abba Father, help us to learn carefully the ways of Your people (Jeremiah 12:16) and follow all Your commands and be one nation under God again, a shining light to the world. O My Father, if it is possible (Matthew 26:39) remove this coming shaking and pour out Your Holy Spirit instead! May we repent and be converted that our sins may be blotted out and that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19).  And that He may send Jesus Christ.  I claim repentance and times of refreshing for America! Come, Holy Spirit, Come!!! 

You have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the Lord your God is He who has fought for you.  Joshua 23:3 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Please join this “painting of the states,” anointing your state or county or city borders in the blessed Name of Jesus!  Share the unique way God has called you to pray for our nation on the Paint the States website.  Read Jeremiah 18:7-11 and keep praying! See the miracles our heavenly Father will do!!!

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

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

 

All Things Work for Good

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.  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

All things, All things, All things! Not just some things or most things or things that are especially important, but ALL things work together for good!  That’s what God’s Word promises us in this well-known verse from Romans 8:28… 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.  

I love God. I love His Son Jesus.  I am called according to His purpose and so I claim this promise. That’s what the first “P” in the TEA CUPP is for, claiming God’s PROMISES. Dear sister, you can claim it, too!  You are called to be His daughter and He has great plans for you!  

As I was reading the book of Joshua in my Bible this month, I saw a beautiful example of this promise.  After their amazing victory in conquering Jericho in Joshua 6, the Israelites suffered a crushing defeat in Joshua 7 because one man Achan had kept the enemy’s accursed booty.  The Lord was angry at Achan’s disobedience, so He did not go with Israel’s army to defeat Ai that first time. Once Achan confessed his sin (Joshua 7:20) and received his punishment (Joshua 7:26), the Lord God was no longer angry and could once again go with Israel’s army to fight the battles. 

In the first battle, Joshua sent about three thousand men who were quickly chased away by the people of Ai.  This is where Romans 8:28 came in!  God used even the failed first battle at Ai to trick the enemy. In the second battle, He had Joshua station ambushes on the far side of Ai, unbeknownst to the people of Ai.  Then Joshua himself lead the group that marched up as at the first.

Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them. For they will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before us as at the first.’ Therefore we will flee before them.  Joshua 8:5-6 (NKJV)

The Israelite’s followed the plan.  When the people of Ai chased Joshua’s army they fled as in the first battle, then the ambush attacked the city and set it on fire! When the enemy looked back at their city, their hearts melted and Joshua’s army turned back and pursued them all.  Read Joshua 8 for all of this exciting story!  It’s so neat how God let their first failure trick the enemy and they won the second battle! HalleluYAH! Praise Yehovah!

Yet, that is not the only Biblical example of Yehovah God working all things for good… what about God turning Sarah’s barrenness into the miraculous conception and birth of Isaac. What about David’s sin with Bathsheba producing the wisest king Solomon and the continuation of the genealogy of our Messiah, Jesus?  What about the prophet Daniel returning with the remnant to Jerusalem?  What about Paul’s shipwreck bringing salvation to the sailors and island people? And most of all, what about God turning the sin of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit into a Seed that would one day be our Savior, Jesus Christ?

And so, I claim Romans 8:28 as a promise for my life. Nine months ago, I had to flee my home due to mold.  The enemy has been pursuing me in all kinds of ways… health issues, homelessness, pains, tears, despair, loss of pets… but like Joshua, I seek the Lord and keep pressing on and claiming His promise to work even this for good.  We are more than conquerers through Him who loves us!  

Just look how God has blessed us this summer… my old Bible study leader invited our animals and us to stay on her property.  A friend from our fellowship loaned us their beautiful camper.  With food and clothing we are content, yet still we pray for that new home Jesus is preparing.  Yes, we still have tears. Yes, we still have dark nights.  But we are confident that, yes, God will work all things together for good because we love Him and we are called according to His purposes!

Dear one, how can you claim this promise in your life today? If you are in a difficult relationship, God will use it for good.  If your children are prodigals, God will use it for good. If you are broke, God will use it for good. If you are hungry, God will use it for good. If you are hurting, God will use it for good.  If you are sick, God will use it for good.  If you are mourning for a loved one, God will use it for good. If you made a big mistake, God will use it for good. If you are homeless, God will use it for good.  if you are lonely, God will use it for good. If you are brokenhearted, God will use it for good.  In ALL things God works together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes!  

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Read the amazing miracle in Joshua 8 today!  Use the enemy’s strategy against him in your own battles, claiming victory through our Lord and Savior Yeshua Messiah!  

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)

For thus says the Lord: ‘Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them.’  Jeremiah 34:42 (NKJV)

For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands. 
Psalm 92:4 (NKJV)

You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes. 
Psalm 119:68 (NKJV)

He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.  Psalm 147:3 (NKJV)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  Romans 8:37 (NKJV)

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

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

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  1 John 5:4 (NKJV)

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

The Song: Jesus Heal Me Now

Sing to Him a new song… Psalm 33:3 (NKJV)

…Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick. John 11:3

The line of ladies stretched from the altar to the back of the sanctuary and up the middle aisle and never got shorter as more people kept joining it. We had heard from the Bible, stories of Naaman being healed from leprosy, the Israelites looking to Moses’ serpent on a pole, and the bleeding woman of the Gospels. Now from the worship leaders came this song which began woefully as a cry for healing, yet ended in jubilation.  As we learned the tune, we began singing along with the words on the overhead screen.  Many of the lyrics hit home as we had cried them many times while reading God’s Word, wondering, “how long, O Lord, until it’s my turn for healing?”  With each Gospel story of Jesus healing someone, we had prayed that miracle for ourselves and loved ones.  Would this be the day those prayers are answered?  Will our service today tip the scales of heaven and send the Father’s healing mercy raining down upon us?  The ladies stopped at three stations before the altar, first visiting one for repentance and deliverance, then a second for anointing with oil and healing prayers, and finally, the third to partake of the Bread and Cup.  Volunteers and pastors who also had experienced pain and healing in the past were compassionately leading the prayer stations, giving comfort as they themselves had been comforted by Jesus.  And as the healing began, we sang on…

  • Chorus 1:
  • Jesus heal me now,
  • Oh, heal me now,
  • Jesus heal me now,
  • Oh, I pray
  • Jesus heal me now,
  • Oh, heal me now,
  • Oh, heal me now,
  • Oh, heal me now,
  • Oh, heal me now.

 

  • Look on my affliction
  • And all my pain,
  • Lord, please heal me now
  • Oh, I pray
  • And forgive all
  • My iniquities
  • Lord, please heal me now,
  • Oh, I pray.

 

  • Chorus 2:
  • Heal me, O Lord,
  • And I shall be healed,
  • Oh, save me, and
  • I shall be saved.
  • Heal me, O Lord,
  • And I shall be healed,
  • Oh, save me, for
  • You are my praise.
  • Is there no balm
  • In Gilead?
  • Is there no
  • doctor to heal?
  • Yes! There is and
  • His name is Jesus
  • Christ, and by His
  • Stripes I am healed!
  • Bless be the Lord
  • Who forgives all
  • Our sins and heals
  • All of our pain.
  • He bore it all
  • In His body
  • On the cross,
  • He bled and died,
  • To heal us now.

 

  • Lord, behold
  • Your child You love
  • is sick and in pain,
  • Please have mercy,
  • Never forsake.
  • Oh, heal me now,
  • Oh, heal me now,
  • Oh, heal me now.

 

  • Lord, if You are
  • Willing to heal,
  • Just say the word
  • And cleanse me now.
  • (repeat)

 

  • Lord, I rejoice
  • I share Your pain,
  • But I’ve had more
  • Than I can bear.
  • Take it away
  • Into the depths
  • Of the sea,
  • Oh, heal me now,
  • Oh, heal me now,
  • O, heal me now.

 

  • My God, my God,
  • Why hast Thou
  • Forsaken Your
  • Child whom You love?
  • This pain has gone
  • On much too long,
  • Please hear my cries
  • And heal me now.

 

  • From the ends of
  • The earth I call
  • to You I cry,
  • as I grow faint,
  • Have mercy and heal
  • This body now,
  • Remember it’s
  • Your Temple, Lord.

 

  • This is my comfort
  • In all my pain,
  • Your word has
  • Given me life.
  • Unless Your Word
  • Had been my delight,
  • I would have perished
  • in my pain.

 

  • Everyone who
  • Calls on the Lord’s
  • Name, Your Word says
  • Shall be saved.
  • I’m shouting loud,
  • Down on my knees,
  • Jesus, please heal
  • And save me now!

 

  • I shall not die
  • But live to declare
  • The mighty works
  • Of my Lord (repeat)

 

  • I reach out and
  • Touch Your robe and
  • Claim Your healing
  • And power now (repeat)

 

  • I hear your cries
  • And see your tears,
  • Surely I will
  • Heal you now.
  • My child, your faith
  • Has made you well,
  • Go in peace now
  • And serve the Lord.

 

  • Your light shall shine
  • Like morning sun,
  • Your healing shall
  • Speedily spring forth.
  • Your goodness shall go
  • Before you always.
  • And my glory
  • Will guard your path.

 

  • I know the plans
  • I have for you,
  • Plans to prosper
  • And not cause pain.
  • Plans to give you
  • A hopeful future,
  • So I forgive
  • And heal you now.

 

  • He has begun
  • Good works in me,
  • And will complete
  • It on that day (repeat).

 

  • Now I return
  • to give You thanks
  • and praise my
  • Healing God now.
  • Let it be known
  • In all the earth,
  • That by the Name
  • Of Jesus I’m healed! (repeat)

 

  • I glorify
  • Your Name, O Lord,
  • Hosanna,
  • HalleluYAH,
  • God be praised! (repeat x3)

 

Today’s TEA CUPP: Today’s prayer song is for all who suffer from mold toxicity, chronic pain, long covid, vaccine injuries, cancer, autoimmune disease, heart issues, lyme, abuse and all other afflictions.  This song is a prayer for you… sing it in the shower, the car, everywhere you go… let it be Your healing heart-cry.  We will shake heaven and bless Yehovah Rapha, our healing God!

I see a vision of healing services with ladies singing this song over and over as dear hurting souls come forward to the alter, some carried by their friends. The ladies receive the healing for which they have cried, longed-for, and prayed. The Holy Spirit moves and their families come, too. No power of hell nor scheme of man can stop the flood waters of His healing Spirit as it moves across our land. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus shall be saved! HOSANNA! HALLELUYAH! GOD BE PRAISED!

Hear my prayer, O Lord,
And give ear to my cry;
Do not be silent at my tears…
Psalm 39:12 (NKJV)

He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord. 
Psalm 40:3 (NKJV)

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2 (NKJV)

 (See also Psalm 25:18, Jeremiah 17:14, Psalm 103:2-3, Isaiah 53:4-5, Jeremiah 8:22, Jeremiah 33:6, John 11:3, Luke 5:12, Psalm 22:1, Psalm 61:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Psalm 119:50, Psalm 119:92, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13, Psalm 118:17, Mark 6:56, 2 Kings 20:5, Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48, Isaiah 58:8, Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 1:6, Luke 17:16, James 5:15)

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

More Mold

Then the priest shall come and look; and indeed if the plague has spread in the house, it is an active leprosy in the house. It is unclean. And he shall break down the house, its stones, its timber, and all the plaster of the house, and he shall carry them outside the city to an unclean place. Leviticus 14:44-45 (NKJV)

I broke down the day I read these verses in Leviticus.  I’ve read Leviticus every year for 30 years and I don’t think I’ve ever cried, perhaps was confused, but probably never cried.  It was just too much for me to be reminded of our home we lost.  Our rental house was overtaken by mold and we are still searching for a new one.  Our bodies continue to be in pain, too.  The same day I read Leviticus 14, our youngest son and I were sitting together reading his school book, the section was called, “We love our homes.”  Oh, the tears came running again!  

Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of family and friends. He sent from above, He took us; He drew us out of many irrigation waters.  Yet indeed we also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, for whom we have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that we may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having our own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

I thought it was time for a MOLD update.  Many of you know we left our rental home in November 2022 due to a horrible mold outbreak.  We were hoping to be back in it before Christmas, but the owner decided not to repair it. So, in January 2023 we tossed 7000 lb. of belongings and put the salvageable items in storage. We’ve been staying at a guest house the Lord graciously provided until we find a new home.  Today I share an update using Bible verses I’ve read recently.  It’s neat how we can always find our story in God’s Word…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For to us it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. 

My flesh has been in pain over it, and my soul has mourned over it. Even today my complaint is bitter; my hand is listless because of my groaning. But Abba Father knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. For our God has tested us; He has refined us as silver is refined. He brought us into the net; He laid affliction on our backs.

 But as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Montana: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.  I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. We went through fire and through water; but the Lord will bring us out to rich fulfillment. And I will hope continually, and will praise Jesus yet more and more. We have learned in whatever state we are, to be content: We know how to be abased, and we know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things we have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!  Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins.  Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed, save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise. Unless the Lord builds a house, those who build it labor in vain. Oh, Lord you are my strength.  My God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Blessed be God, who has not turned away our prayers, nor His mercy from us!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Write a Psalm (perhaps Psalm 30 or 31) down the left column in your prayer journal. Now pour out your heart to the Lord Jesus on the right-hand side column. 

 All my life He has been faithful and He isn’t going to stop now!

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson (with verses from Leviticus 14:44-45, Job 13:15, Job 14:22, Job 23:2, Job 23:10-12, Psalm 18:6, Psalm 25:18, Psalm 27:13, Psalm 28:8, Psalm 66:10-12, Psalm 66:20, Psalm 80:19, Psalm 71:14, Psalm 127:1,  Proverbs 12:13, Jeremiah 17:14, 2 Corinthians 1:3-12, 2 Corinthians 7:6, Philippians 1:12, Philippians 1:29, Philippians 3:8-9, Philippians 4:11-13,19)

 

4:7 I Thank My God

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

Philemon 4-7I 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!  

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

Mold in Me

The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
Proverbs 14:10 (NKJV)  


“What does it feel like?” friends have asked me. Mold is hard to explain and difficult to describe, so I will try to paint a picture for you, dear praying sister. Everyone who goes through the valley of mold has a unique experience, but this is how it feels for me…

  • Mold feels like a scary mystery.
  • Mold feels like a truck ran over me every morning.
  • Mold feels like I can only process one thing at a time.
  • Mold feels like I get upset for no apparent reason.
  • Mold feels like I need new glasses.
  • Mold feels like I’ve been working on my next book for years because of brain fog.
  • Mold feels like I can’t plan a trip to see family because that takes too much thought.
  • Mold feels like writing down every thought or else I will forget it.
  • Mold feels like never finishing my to-do list.
  • Mold feels like a broken record crying, “Heal me, O Lord.” 
  • Mold feels like a bad dream.
  • Mold feels like extreme weariness.
  • Mold feels like sleepless nights and endless aches.
  • Mold feels like getting up every two hours to use the restroom, praying, “At midnight I rise to give You thanks because of Your righteous laws.”
  • Mold feels like getting up at 3:30 a.m. for quiet time with Jesus since I can’t sleep.  
  •  
  • Mold feels like cancer without the fancy label.
  • Mold feels like dizziness when I stand suddenly.
  • Mold feels like knots in the back of my neck.
  • Mold feels like itchy skin and blotchy areas that come and go.
  • Mold feels like chapped lips and sores inside my mouth.
  • Mold feels like lower back pain that goes all the way down my legs to my feet.
  • Mold feels like numb fingers and toes.
  • Mold feels like I often loose my grip.
  • Mold feels like being anointed with oil and having great hope, only to feel awful the next day.  
  •  
  • Mold feels like an elephant sitting on my lungs.
  • Mold feels like a sneeze and a sniffle.
  • Mold feels like not wanting to even move.
  • Mold feels like making myself walk in all-weather because movement is key to moving out the mold.
  • Mold feels like dizziness as soon as I come inside from my walks.
  • Mold feels like Peter’s wife Eden on the Chosen, wondering when will my healing come?  
  •  
  • Mold feels like a pain.
  • Mold feels like an ice pick up my tail bone.
  • Mold feels like the worst cramps ever.
  • Mold feels like a rock in my stomach.
  • Mold feels like a twisting tummy ache.
  • Mold feels like a stab in my liver.
  • Mold feels like my husband on his knees by our bed every night, crying out to God.  
  •  
  • Mold feels like a wilted flower.
  • Mold feels like my body reacts to everything.
  • Mold feels like giving up all my favorite foods, yet still I feel sick.
  • Mold feels like getting confused over all the different lists of foods to avoid or to eat.
  • Mold feels like watching others eat the yummy birthday cake I just baked for them.
  • Mold feels like nausea so I eat something, then nausea because I ate something.
  • Mold feels like reaching out to touch Jesus’ robe, and yet I can’t quite reach.  
  •  
  • Mold feels like having the answer, but 100 more questions.
  • Mold feels like drinking gallons of water a day to flush out the toxins.
  • Mold feels like going to the restroom every hour because the mycotoxins destroyed my bladder lining.
  • Mold feels like taking tons of magnesium to make sure food actually moves through me.
  • Mold feels like I’m pregnant every evening with a swollen gut.
  • Mold feels like being curled up with a heating pad and Jesus every morning.  
  •  
  • Mold feels like loneliness.
  • Mold feels like missing the party because I don’t feel well.
  • Mold feels like saying good-bye to all my hobbies. 
  • Mold feels like throwing away my home in hopes I will get well.
  • Mold feels like renter’s insurance is useless as it doesn’t cover mold.
  • Mold feels like I’m still sick even after throwing away my home.
  • Mold feels like hopelessness, though I keep hoping.  
  •  
  • Mold feels like no one understands.
  • Mold feels like looking into the bewildered eyes of my husband who has prayed every prayer.
  • Mold feels like a pat on the shoulder from our youngest son who has only known his mom in pain.
  • Mold feels like watching our youngest son get nose bleed after nose bleed.
  • Mold feels like wondering why our youngest son can’t eat like his grown-up siblings.
  • Mold feels like crying again when his test results are worse than mine.
  • Mold feels like thanking God for friends who care.
  • Mold feels like an unanswered prayer.
  • Mold feels like I’m slowly dying, though I still smile.
  • Mold feels like tears in the bathroom where no one sees.
  • Mold feels like spending all my livelihood on supplements yet being healed by none.
  • Mold feels like giving up but pressing on.
  • Mold feels like sharing in the sufferings of Christ.  
  •  
  • Mold feels like because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
  • Mold feels like saying, “Get thee hence, satan… I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord!”
  • Mold feels like hoping, enduring, persevering, and praying, because tomorrow may be the day Jesus heals my family and me.  

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Dear one, if you found this website because you have mold in your home, I’m so sorry.  I know how miserable you must be.  I’m reading the book of Job in my Bible right now. God’s Word expresses exactly how I’m feeling.  I encourage you to stay in God’s Word, read Job, read the Psalms, read the promises of Jesus in the Gospels; and soon, very soon, by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus, we shall all be made well!  

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. Job 13:15

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.  Romans 12:12 (NKJV)

One thing that might tickle you tea-lovers… the doctor said to drink several cups of green tea and dandelion tea a day to help with detox!  How’s that for God’s grace and sense of humor in our trials?!  

Oh, that my grief were fully weighed,
And my calamity laid with it on the scales!
…For the arrows of the Almighty are within me…
Job 6:2-4 (NKJV)    

After several years of visiting doctors, Jennifer Grace was finally diagnosed with Ochratoxin A in September 2022. In October 2022, her home was tested and found to have Aspergillus and Penicillin molds.  An “expert” came to test the house again in November 2022, opening the attic and cellar accesses, releasing additional mold spores which drove her family from their rental home.  In December 2022, they tossed over 7000 pounds of belongings, put keepsakes in storage, and moved temporarily to a guest house. Their family continues to pray for healing and a home with a barn for 3 cats, 3 goats, and 26 chickens. Thank you for praying!!!    

Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins. Psalm 25:18 (NKJV)  

Why is my pain perpetual and my wound incurable, Which refuses to be healed?… Jeremiah 15:18 (NKJV)  

...I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you…. 2 Kings 20:5 (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)

If today’s post was of interest, you might also like to read Heal Me, O Lord and Mold Overturned my Table and My Tears in God’s Bottle.   I also recommend this doctor’s website and book: Dr. Crista. And you will love listening to the healing verses from God’s Word read by Dodie Osteen…  

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

But we see Jesus

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!

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)

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

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Jesus, Our Greatest Example

In celebration of Thanksgiving this year, I’m re-running this post from June 2021. This devotion and many others will be in my new book, More TEA CUPP Prayers, coming out in spring 2023. Thank you for praying for me and the publication process! Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to one and all! Thank you, dearest Jesus, for so many blessings!

…Give thanks to the Lord Almighty,
    for the Lord is good;
    His love endures forever…
 Jeremiah 33:11 (NIV)

Whether you are new to prayer, or this is a regular routine for you, it is always a blessing to be reminded how our Lord Jesus prayed when He walked this earth. Jesus is our example in all things, including THANKSGIVING to the Lord. Isn’t it a wonder that Jesus the Son gave thanks to the Father, showing us how to give thanks to the Father, when He and the Father are One?

We find so many times in the Gospels when Jesus gave thanks…

  • When the 70 disciples returned from their first mission trip (Luke 10:17-24):

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.Luke 10:21

  • When Jesus fed the 5000 with five loaves and two fish (John 6:1-14):

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11

  • When praying to the Father to raise His friend Lazarus (John 11:1-44):

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” John 11:41

  • At the Last Supper with His disciples (Luke 22:7-20):

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said,  “Take this and divide it among yourselves.” Luke 22:17

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19

With these true stories in mind, I follow Jesus’ example, beginning my prayers with THANKSGIVING. Whether I’m welcoming my sons home from a mission trip, feeding my family, praying for healing for loved ones, or just having TEA with Jesus, I begin with thanks. Perhaps my biggest THANKS recently was attending my granddaughter Kennedy’s preschool graduation one year after she was diagnosed with cancer. You can turn to one of the last sections of this book to read how this Grandma’s heart was broken and cried desperate pleas to God the Father for over a year for healing for our granddaughter. She had no hair and couldn’t walk after the first rounds of chemo. I prayed and prayed, “Talitha, Cumi, Little One, arise,” and God raised her from her sofa bed to attend preschool and gymnastics! And Jesus let me witness her graduation while her new baby sister was being born. Oh, what double blessings all in one day! I thank you Lord Jesus, for you have heard my prayers and seen my tears and sent life to this family!

There is always something for which to be thankful, dear sisters. Even when the whole world is falling apart, we can thank Jesus that our names are written in heaven and that we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken. Hold onto these precious verses of THANKSGIVING this coming year…

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.  Luke 10:20

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.  Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read one of the selections of Jesus giving thanks, noticing the miracles that came after His thanksgiving. Select one THANKSGIVING verse to write in your prayer journal, pouring out your thanks to the Lord. The Father will be so happy to hear from you!

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

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


Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever.
  Psalm 136:1-3

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

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011

4:7 Victory

Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

O Father, O Jesus, here we have the story of when Satan tried to tempt You in the wilderness after 40 days of fasting (no food, no water). You must have been so hungry and thirsty, even though You are the Living Bread and Living Water.

First, the devil tried to tempt you to turn stones to bread, but You fought back with the Word of God, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Your Word is all we need for it is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.

Well, the devil was crafty in his second temptation, using Your Word himself, telling You to throw Yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple so the Father’s angel would guard over You. This verse is one of my favorites to pray for my family, the 911 verse, Psalm 91:11 “He shall give His angels charge over you.” Shame on the devil for mis-using this precious Word of God! And all praise to Jesus for fighting back victoriously with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, saying, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.

O Father God, forgive us for ever trying to tempt You, knowingly or unknowingly. Forgive our nation for tempting You to wrath with all its evil. Save us, O Lord our God. Turn hearts to You before the great and awesome day when You return. Pour out your Holy Spirit on this land. Do not let us tempt you any longer. We say as Jesus did on the last temptation, “Away with you, Satan!”

“Away with you, Satan!” Away with you from our lives. Away with you from our health. Away with you from our families. Away with you from our schools. Away with you from our courthouses. Away with you from our government. Away with you from our churches. Away with you from our media. Away with you from our nation! Away with you, Satan, in the Name of Jesus and the blood He shed on the cross! We will not bow down to you!

We will only bow to the King of kings, the Lord of lords, our God and Father, Christ Jesus His Son, who showed us how to resist you with His Word, how to cut your temptations to pieces with His Sword of the Spirit, and how to live victoriously by following His steps. You are finished, Satan! Go to the deep pit where you belong! You are not welcome here. Away with you!

Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, is Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, is Lord of the United States of America. Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, is Lord of me and my family wherever we go. HalleluYAH! Amen!

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

4:7 Aftermath

A prayer for America on the Aftermath of Election Day 2022 with verses from 2 Kings 22, Psalm 142, Joel 1-2 and Hebrews 5 from the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading Plan for November 10.

Hebrews 4:7 Again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

O Father, O Jesus, forgive us for our hard hearts. Soften us to hear and obey Your Holy Spirit, O Lord, TODAY! Forgive me, forgive my family, forgive our nation, forgive Your church. Soften me, soften my family, soften our nation, soften Your Church. For today I am sad that our nation is still lost, still having broken elections, though there were glimmers of hope. I cry out to You with the cries of the Psalmist and claim the promises of Joel.

Today we offer up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears to Him who is able to save us. I cry out to the Lord with my voice; with my voice to the Lord, I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. Our spirits are overwhelmed, Lord Jesus. The locusts have even eaten our elections and votes. We prayed and voted for God-fearing leaders across this nation, and we received a few, but not enough!

O Jesus, we thank You for the victories, and yet we rend our hearts and return to You again in prayer to ask, “”How long?” and “Where did we go wrong?” and “What more can we do?” Forgive us for becoming dull of hearing. May we learn obedience through all our suffering. Help us discern good and evil. Spare Your people, O Lord. Do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations, “Where is their God?”

O Father in heaven, give us leaders like Josiah whose heart was tender and he humbled himself before the Lord, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to the Law of Moses. We cry out to You, O Lord, You are our refuge, a very present help in trouble. You are gracious, merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness, and You relent from doing harm. Turn to us, Lord Jesus. Hear our cries. Leave us a blessing! Spare Your people, O Lord. Do not give Your heritage to reproach.

We decree the Lord will be zealous for His land and pity His people. The Lord will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied by them. I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations. Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things! Do not be afraid! I will restore to you the years the locusts have eaten! You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God. I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” America shall be saved! HalleluYAh! Amen!

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