For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, And has perceived and heard His word? WhohasmarkedHiswordandheardit? Jeremiah 23:18 (NKJV)
My youngest son gave me some Bible highlighters for my birthday this year. I’ve been having lots of fun with them as I read God’s Word each morning. I chose seven of them to mark verses for My TEA CUPP Prayers, one for each letter of the TEACUPP:
Red: T for Thanksgiving
Orange: E for Exalting the Lord
Yellow: A for Admitting my sins
Green: C for Calling (God’s calling for my life)
Blue: U for Understanding my story
Purple: P for Promises (claiming God’s)
Pink: P for Petitions (pouring out my heart to the Lord)
Perhaps you noticed, I put them in order of the rainbow. Remember, the rainbow was first given to us by God after Noah’s flood, as a promise that He would never flood the whole earth again (Genesis 9:13). Let’s re-claim this symbol for the Lord!
So, how do I get started with my Jesus tea time? After rolling out of bed each morning, I heat the kettle for myself and my husband, pouring each of us our favorite cups of tea along with a water bottle. I set his cups on the counter so he can find them for his quiet time, then I go to my special Jesus spot on the sofa with my cups, ready to meet my Savior in His Word (my husband and our youngest son who is still home and I pray together at breakfast).
Now as I read my Bible each morning, I can quickly find verses for any category with this color-coding system. Besides writing the letter “T or E or A or C or U or P or Pet” next to my underlined verses, I now also add this splash of color. Sometimes a verse fits more than one area, so I have to choose which color is most meaningful to me that day.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)
The type of highlighters my son gave me are ACCU-Gel Highlighters, Acid-Free. They say they won’t bleed or smear or show through the page. They came from Christianbooks.com. One neat thing, when you think the pen is running low, you just twist the end (like you might do with chapstick or a glue stick) and the tip gets longer.
What is a verse that was especially meaningful to me recently as I highlighted God’s Word? Psalm 17:8 is always a favorite… Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me in the shadow of your wings. As I got on board my first plane flight since Covid to help a friend I hadn’t seen in 20 years, it was good to know He would keep me under His wings as the plane flew above the clouds. Thank you, dearest Jesus.
Today’s TEA CUPP: Try reading and marking Psalm 18. Remember, you want to begin each day in God’s Word, letting Him speak first. Mark the words that touch your heart, then use these as conversation starters as you pour out your heart to the Lord. You may write the verse in your prayer journal along with your prayers, or just speak aloud to the Lord. God bless you, dear praying sister!
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.Psalm 12:6 (NKJV)
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.Romans 15:4 (NKJV)
The law of the Lordis perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lordis sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lordare right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lordis pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lordis clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lordare true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11 (NKJV)
Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner;my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’ Matthew 22:4 (NKJV)
“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.
Perhaps you missed a few weddings this past year. With plagues and shutdowns, many weddings were postponed or abbreviated. My son and his beautiful bride pared their wedding down from 200 friends and family to 25 close family members to celebrate within the guidelines of their town. I was very thankful to attend this lovely event, even with the smaller numbers, because we had missed his sister’s wedding when she eloped. I was sad about this for a long time until Jesus comforted me with these words:
Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’”Revelation 19:9 (NKJV)
Dear One, even if we miss every wedding this year, we can rejoice, for we are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Hallelujah! What a glorious Day that will be! Let us all be ready for that great and eternal Day! Let us prepare right now so that we are ready. Let us be forgiven and washed in the blood of Jesus and put on His pure white dresses (Revelation 19:8). Let us fill our lamps with the oil of His word (Matthew 25:1). Let us watch and pray for we don’t know when the time will come (Mark 13:33).
Until now, the Lord has been very gracious to us in waiting for more people to turn to Him (Isaiah 30:18). Yet we can see the Day of His coming approaching, as evil is called good and good is called evil, and our world heads in a downward spiral of moral decay, even within the Church. Listen to God’s Word from Saint Matthew…
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven,and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.Matthew 24:30 (NKJV)
Saint Luke also describes many of these signs that the Wedding is almost at hand. From wars to earthquakes to pestilences to persecutions and more… God’s Word says, “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31). Oh, Sister, the time is certainly near, won’t you please come to the Wedding?
Over and over, as we read our Bibles, Jesus invites us to “Come!” When you have TEA with Jesus each day and believe in His Name, you are accepting His call, and He quenches your thirst with His Living Water (Rev. 21:6, John 4:14). From the Old Testament to Revelation, the invitation is always there:
Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat…Isaiah 55:1 (NKJV)
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.Psalm 34:11 (NKJV)
Come toMe, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)
And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.Mark 6:31 (NKJV)
…“Come and see.” John 1:46
Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ? John 4:29 (NKJV)
Oh, dear friend, won’t you please accept His invitation? Jesus so fervently desires you to be there, as He desired to eat the Last Supper with His disciples (Luke 22:15). RSVP “Yes” today! In recent years we have online wedding registries, where you can meet the bride and groom, view engagement photos, see the bridal party, RSVP you are coming, find a motel, look at the guest list and gift ideas, etc. Imagine if there were such a website for Jesus’ wedding! We could view photos of Jesus in heaven, see His Church, meet the Saints who will return with Him, say “YES!” we are coming, check out the mansion arrangements, see who else is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and admire the crowns we will bring to cast at the feet of our Groom, Jesus Christ. Fun as that sounds, our Bible, God’s Word, is the best place for us to get a glimpse of our Lord’s wedding.
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.Revelation 19:7 (NKJV)
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.Revelation 21:2 (NKJV)
As we read Revelation 21, I think of the old movies where the bride is married in her own home. At just the right moment, when all the guests are in place, she appears at the top of a long stairway, gracefully descending to take the arm of her groom. Saint John paints a picture for us, “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). Imagine that Glorious Day when Jesus takes the Church to be His bride, will you be there?
Jesus tells the story of a Great Supper in Luke 14:15-24:
Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many,andsent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and themaimed and the lame and the blind.’And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.For I say to youthat none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’” Luke 14:16-24 (NKJV)
Don’t make excuses, the time to say YES is TODAY! Accept Jesus! Come to the Wedding, my friend. Let us hasten the day of His Wedding by praying with John in Revelation 22:20, “Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear Sister, there are so many beautiful wedding stories in the Bible. Spend time this week reading each of these: Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 25:1-13, John 2:1-11, Revelation 21, and Genesis 24. Your daily TEA time with Jesus is preparing you for this Glorious Wedding Day. Rejoice that YOU are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb!
Thus says the Lord: ‘Again there shall be heard in this place…the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: “Praise the Lord of hosts, For the Lordis good, For His mercy endures forever”…Jeremiah 33:10-11 (NKJV)
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13 (NKJV)
The great day of the Lord is near; It is near and hastens quickly…Zephaniah 1:14 (NKJV)
They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:29 (NKJV)
…Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God! Luke 14:15 (NKJV)
Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,butwhoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give himwill become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14 (NKJV)
I have two beautiful songs for you today, ladies! While looking up the second hymn, I came across this beautiful Catholic hymn based on Isaiah 55:1. I can just see all the faithful coming forward to receive the Bread and Cup, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus, while hearing this song. The invitation is for all who hunger and thirst for righteousness and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And someday we will share the Cup anew with Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven!
O let all who thirst Let them come to the water And let all who have nothing Let them come to the Lord Without money, without price Why should you pay the price Except for the Lord? (John Foley, 1978)
And Jesus said, “Come to the water, stand by My side, I know you are thirsty, you won’t be denied; I felt every teardrop when in darkness you cried, And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died.” (Hymn, author unknown)
He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Psalm 147:4 (NKJV)
Remember the story of Abraham, how God told him to count the stars? This is one of my favorite Sunday school stories for preschoolers. Children have no trouble believing God’s promise that Abraham will have many kids. They love to sing, “Father Abraham, had several sons…” with arms and legs going in every direction. And there are so many fun star crafts we can make to remind us of God’s promise. But as the years go by, I realize how much more there is to this story. This is not just for preschoolers, this is the HISTORY of God’s people, His chosen nation, the Israelites. We who are Christians are counted as having come from Abraham’s seed, because we have faith like Abraham. And the best news is we get to share in God’s promise to Abraham!
Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5 (NKJV)
We first meet Abraham (who was originally called Abrahm) in Genesis 11 with Noah’s family tree. Abraham is listed as a descendent of Noah’s son Shem (Gen. 11:27). In Genesis 12 we get the first glimpse of God’s promise to Abraham, when God commanded…
…”Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”Genesis 12:1-2 (NKJV)
In Genesis 15, God gave Abraham the Promise again…
Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Genesis 15:5 (NKJV)
We must remember that this promise came when Abraham had no children! How could God make him have so many descendants? Abraham didn’t question God, he only believed. And so did his wife, Sarah. For we read in Hebrews 11…
By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.Hebrews 11:11-12 (NKJV)
Abraham couldn’t count all the stars for it would be like counting all the grains of sand on the seashore. If we continue reading in our Bibles, we learn how Abraham and Sarah begot Isaac (one son) in their old age (Gen. 21). Isaac and Rebekah begot two sons, Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:24-33). Jacob and his wives begot twelves sons (Gen. 35:22-26). And by the time Jacob was an old man, there were over 70 family members who went with him to Egypt (Gen. 45:27). 430 years later, the Israelites had become over 2,000,000 people. That’s 603,500 men age 20 and older, plus their wives, children, and the Levites (Exodus 12:40, Numbers 1:46). Just as Abraham could not imagine or count this when he had no children, neither can we count all the blessings God gives to us.
The Lord your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude. Deuteronomy 1:10 (NKJV)
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand. Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Read about the day God promised Abraham many children in Genesis 15. If you’d like to read even more, Stephen gave a stunning recap of Abraham’s story and Israel’s history in Acts 7, and Psalm 105 is also a beautiful recount. With the promise, Abraham also received a vision of the dark days in Egypt and the rescue of God’s people. We are part of that promise! God has rescued us from our dark days of sin and is bringing us to the Promised Land. Hallelujah! Oh, dear one, our blessings, like Abraham’s, are as many as the stars! How many can you count and thank Jesus for today?
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. Luke 1:49 (NKJV)
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’ Exodus 32:13 (NKJV)
You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left but few in number, because you did not obey the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:62 (NKJV)
For He remembered His holy promise, And Abraham His servant. He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations, That they might observe His statutes And keep His laws. Praise the Lord! Psalm 105:42-45 (NKJV)
You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. Psalm 119:65 (NKJV)
As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me.Jeremiah 33:22 (NKJV)
P.S. I didn’t plan for this devotion to run right before the 4th of July weekend, but God must have planned it! As you see the stars in our flag, remember God’s promise to Abraham and thank Him for the blessings of living in the USA. As you go camping, look up at the summer night sky and see if you can count the stars. Thank God for every star and blessing.
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.Proverbs 30:5 (NKJV)
A few years ago, before there were Covid and shutdowns, I was invited to speak at a lovely June Tea Party, hosted by a large Baptist church. The ladies all dressed in their beautiful spring dresses, the tables were decorated with towers of treats, and we were taught and served tea in the most elegant English manner. In honor of that party, and all tea parties we long to have again, this month I give you June TEAs to have with Jesus.
Today I give you God’s Word TEA. Long time readers know all my TEAs are from God’s Word. In this updated prayer TEA, I share more verses you can use to start a conversation with the Lord. Today’s TEA has special Bible verses that speak specifically about His Word. Choose a verse to give Him THANKS, a verse to EXALT His name, a verse to ADMIT your sins, and so on… I hope you will find these verses in your Bible and underline, study, memorize, and pray them!
T is for Thanksgiving
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (NKJV)
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
E is for Exalting
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NKJV)
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. Revelation 19:13 (NKJV)
Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 (NKJV)
How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!Psalm 119:103 (NKJV)
The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.Psalm 119:160 (NKJV)
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. Psalm 33:6 (NKJV)
…and His name is called The Word of God.Revelation 19:13 (NKJV)
A is for Admitting
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.Hebrews 4:12(NKJV)
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.John 12:38 (NKJV)
And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. Deuteronomy 18:19 (NKJV)
C is for Calling
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28 (NKJV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)
Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. Proverbs 6:21 (NKJV)
Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.Proverbs 7:3 (NKJV)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)
U is for Understanding
…man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3 (NKJV)
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 (NKJV)
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)
Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 (NKJV)
But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. Deuteronomy 30:14 (NKJV)
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.Job 23:12 (NKJV)
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
P is for Promises
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.Isaiah 55:11(NKJV)
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)
...The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart…Romans 10:8 (NKJV)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but Mywords will by no means pass away.Luke 21:33 (NKJV)
For assuredly, I say to you,till heaven and earth pass away, onejot or onetittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:18 (NKJV)
P is for Petitioning
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you willask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.John 15:7 (NKJV)
Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.Psalm 119:49 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Read Luke 8:4-15 for a parable about God’s Word. Pray, “Lord let my heart be good soil!” Use these verses as conversation starters for your prayers today. Pour out your heart to the Word made flesh, Jesus!
…the seed is theword of God. Luke 8:11 (NKJV)
…but the word of God is not chained. 2 Timothy 2:9 (NKJV)
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?Jeremiah 23:29 (NKJV)
…Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach…Psalm 106:23 (NKJV)
When I was a little girl, my parents took my siblings and me to the Grand Canyon. I remember my mom holding our shirt collars as we looked over the edge into the great abyss. Then I grew up to be a mom and did the same thing for our children. Any time we went to a National Park with deep gorges, I held shirt collars to prevent my children from plummeting into the canyon depths.
Friends, our country needs moms to hold shirt collars again! We need you to pray like never before for your children and for this great nation. Don’t let go! Don’t let us fall into the depths! Don’t lose the faith! Believe with all your heart that God will save this great land. Hold those shirt collars!
Did you know Moses did the same thing for God’s children, the Israelites? While Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the people were down below making a golden calf. God wanted to wipe them all out and make a new people from Moses. But Moses stood in the breach and pleaded with the Lord on their behalf. And God heard their prayers! God will hear your prayers, too, dear friend. Here are some verses you can pray from Psalm 106 today…
T for Thanksgiving:
Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1 (NKJV)
…To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise.Psalm 106:47 (NKJV)
E for Exalting:
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!Psalm 106:48 (NKJV)
A for Admitting:
We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, We have done wickedly.Psalm 106:6 (NKJV)
Because they rebelled against His Spirit, So that he spoke rashly with his lips.Psalm 106:33 (NKJV)
They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons, And shed innocent blood… Psalm 106:37-38 (NKJV)
C for Calling:
Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times! Psalm 106:3 (NKJV)
U for Understanding:
Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds, And the plague broke out among them. Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, And the plague was stopped. Psalm 106:29-30 (NKJV)
P for Promises:
Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, When He heard their cry; And for their sake He remembered His covenant, And relented according to the multitude of His mercies. Psalm 106:44-45 (NKJV)
P for Petitions:
Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation.Psalm 106:4 (NKJV)
Save us, O Lord our God, And gather us from among the Gentiles…Psalm 106:47 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Dear TEA Friend, You have such an important job to do! Just as Moses stood in the breach to save the children of Israel, we must stand in the breach to save the United States of America. Keep praying for our nation, dear prayer warriors. Keep interceding on behalf of babies, our President, and anything else the Holy Spirit puts upon your heart.
And an extra prayer for the USA:
That I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, That I may glory with Your inheritance. Psalm 106:5 (NKJV)
For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver, The Lord is our King; He will save us. Isaiah 33:22 (NKJV)
Calling all prayer warriors to pray John 11 over the USA today! In John 11 we read the amazing account of Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the grave. As you read this passage today, replace Lazarus’ name with the USA. We can say to the Lord with John 11:3, “Lord, behold, the USA who You love is sick.”
We have been very sick this year, haven’t we? First there were impeachment trials, then COVID19 and shut-downs hit our land, followed by rioting, wildfires, and each month brought some new shame. The truth is we are sick like Lazarus and dead in our sins. We are lost in a dark cave with only Jesus to save us. But God shines His light in the dark places of our hearts (Prov. 20:27) and nation, showing us our sins and providing a way out (Isaiah 35:8, John 14:6).
Jesus reassures us with John 11:4 that the USA’s sickness is not unto death, “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” And we can claim Jesus’ promise in John 11:23, the USA “will rise again.”
When Jesus speaks to Martha in John 11:25-26, “…I amthe resurrection and the life.He who believes in Me, though he maydie, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” we can answer with a resounding, “YES, JESUS! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!”
Those of us who have been praying all year for our nation, probably feel like Martha and Mary do in John 11:21 & 32, “Lord, if you had been here, the USA would not have died.”
As Jesus weeps with us over the USA in John 11:35, we weep, too.
We stand amazed as Jesus tells us in John 11:40, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” and we await the miracles He will do for our country.
Let us give thanks even before the miracles, following Jesus’ example in John 11:41, “Father, we thank You that You have heard us.”
Then, with a commanding cry, and loud voice, we proclaim along with Jesus in John 11:43, “USA, Come forth!” And the USA will come out of it’s grave to new life in Jesus! Halleluja!
Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Isaiah 32:15 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Oh Jesus, You did this! You sent Your Holy Spirit at Pentecost. You turned the wilderness of the USA into a fruitful field, “the bread basket of the world.” Oh Jesus, the true Bread of Life, the Living Water, the Savior of humankind, I claim Your promise to do it again. Call us out of that grave! Pour out Your Holy Spirit on the USA! Send a revival! Turn every heart to You! USA, arise! Come forth! Come, Holy Spirit, flood this land with Your presence. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done. In Your Holy and Mighty Name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily. Psalm 74:22 (NKJV)
You called my name And I ran out of that grave Out of the darkness Into Your glorious day. (Glorious Day by Passion)
Songwriters: Jonathan Smith / Jason Ingram / Kristian Stanfill / Sean Curran
P.S. Please keep praying for THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming. Will you join me in fasting every Tuesday, though the USA election on November 3, 2020? Our country needs your prayers!
…O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles… Judges 6:13 (NKJV)
Do you feel like you’ve been walking through the Valley of Achor, the Valley of Trouble? With coronavirus all over the world, cancer in young children, and so many uncertainties (like can a person buy toilet paper and will there be a job tomorrow?), people everywhere have been walking through a dark valley.
Did you know there is really such a valley in our Bibles? We read in Joshua 7 how the children of Israel were defeated in one of their early battles as they tried to claim the Promised Land. What happened? Why wasn’t God helping them? Well, it turned out one of the Israelites had taken some of the accursed treasures at the first battle and hidden them in his tent. Because of his sin, God was withholding His blessings. Joshua found out and the Israelites stoned the man. That place was given the name, the Valley of Achor (Trouble).
What sins are we hiding in our tents today? We need to look at our own hearts and the heart of our country and confess these sins to the Lord. We need to run through our towns with our prayers as incense to stop the plague (Num. 17:46-50, Psalm 141:2, Rev. 5:8). We need to turn to God in prayer, every one of us, seeking His forgiveness and blessings, and He will see us safely through even this storm and restore our nation.
My friends, we have a great hope. With every punishment, God gives us a promise. When God kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, even then He gave a promise that someday His Seed would bruise the head of Satan, a Savior would be coming. And today, even now, God promises the Valley of Achor will become a door of hope.
I will give her …the Valley of Achor as a door of hope…Hosea 2:15 (NKJV)
He will not leave us in this valley. Even those who are on their deathbeds can receive God’s promise as did the thief on the cross…
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.Psalm 138:7 (NKJV)
What is this Door of Hope? Who can save us from this valley? Where can we find these promises? It is Jesus, the Son of God who died for the sins of all the world, tearing the veil in the temple, over 2000 years ago. But He didn’t stay dead, on the third day He rose again opening for all who believe the door of heaven. And there we find eternal forgiveness, peace and joy.
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.1 Peter 4:12-13 (NKJV)
God is still on the throne. Jesus is still risen from the tomb. The Holy Spirit is still here to help and encourage us. And, we have our Bibles – God’s Word, God’s great love story. Open your Bible and open the Door of Hope.
Today’s TEA CUPP: What hope have you seen in your valley of trouble? A kindness from a friend or stranger? Good Samaritans helping neighbors? I pray that most of all you see Jesus! Who can you be a door of hope to today?
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)
Behold,I stand at the door and knock.If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
Yet I say to you that in this place there isOne greater than the temple.Matthew 12:6 (NKJV)
With a new year, I started reading my Bible again in Genesis and Matthew. The other day I was reading Matthew 12. I’ve been reading my Bible for several years now, so many verses are already underlined, but I still find more to underline each day.
This day I found verses in Matthew 12 for praising Jesus. I found out that He is greater than the temple (Matt. 12:6), greater than Jonah (Matthew 12:41), and greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42). This caused me to write in my prayer journal an exalting prayer to Him. My prayer went something like this…
O Jesus, You are greater than all! You are greater than the temple, greater than Adam, greater than Noah, greater than Enoch, greater than Methuselah, greater than Abraham (John 8:53), greater than Isaac, greater than Jacob (John 4:12), greater than Joseph, greater than Moses, greater than David, greater than Solomon, greater than Elijah, greater than Isaiah, greater than Jeremiah, greater than Daniel, greater than Jonah, greater than John, greater than Peter, greater than Paul, greater than…all!
You are greater than my heart (1 John 3:20), greater than my troubles, greater than my worries, greater than my health, greater than my family, greater than my job, greater than my hobbies, greater than my ministry, greater than sports and movies and social media and everything this world says is great, only You are GREAT, my precious Jesus, and the greatest of all is Your Father in heaven (John 14:28)!
Be exalted and glorified today, my precious Jesus! Amen.
Today’s TEA CUPP: You can do this, too! Read Matthew 12. List the things Jesus is greater than. Use your list as a conversation starter to tell Jesus what a Great God He is today!
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain.Psalm 48:1 (NKJV)
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.Psalm 96:4 (NKJV)
For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.1 John 3:20 (NKJV)
And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma...Genesis 8:21 (NKJV)
How is the aroma of your tea? Does your tea smell pleasing? As you sit at your table, holding your warm mug on a chilly morning, does the steam from your favorite tea blend rise up and bring joy to your senses?
Have you ever thought about our prayers smelling good to God? Like children to a pan of chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven, God comes running at the scent of our delicious prayers and it brings Him great joy!
...He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you.Isaiah 30:19 (NKJV)
Noah knew how much God loved sincere prayers because he walked with God. No sooner did Noah and his family step off the ark (after more than a year on board!), did they set up an altar with a fire, preparing burnt sacrifices to God. And when God smelled the aroma of Noah’s offering, it was then that He promised to never curse the ground or flood the whole world again. God promised there will always be seedtime and harvest for as long as the earth remains (Gen. 8:22).
Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:1 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Read the entire story of Noah’s sweet aroma in Genesis 8 today. Let your prayers be a sweet aroma to Jesus. What other offerings can you give the Lord that will smell wonderful?
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV)
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NKJV)
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength… Psalm 8:2 (NKJV)
All mothers must have their endearing stories of things their children say about God and Jesus. When our Kevin was just three-and-one-half-years old, he was full of questions about God and Jesus and everything…
“Daddy, why did God give us lungs?”
“Daddy, why did God make the mountains?”
“Mommy, why did Jesus have to die for our sins?”
And once he had the information set in his own mind, Kevin pondered it. Then, when we were in the car on our hour drive to town, Kevin would break into song about all he knew. He began with a familiar tune and then added his own lyrics…
“Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so…
And Jesus died on a cross
For all the bad things.
Then He rose up…
And God made the mountains
And God made the trees
And God made our bodies and hearts
And Jesus lives in my heart
And Jesus loves Mommy
And Jesus loves Daddy
And Jesus loves me
And Jesus loves all the children of the world!”
I could just see the angels smiling and rejoicing as our Lord heard little Kevin singing, for from the lips of children and infants He has ordained praise! And this week our big Kevin heads back to college for his spring semester, after attending a Campus Crusade Conference over his break. And I believe Jesus is still smiling. Keep turning the world upside down for Jesus, Kevin!
...Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, You have perfected praise.Matthew 21:16 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: How can we join the children in exalting Jesus? As you read Psalm 8 and other Psalms today, underline favorite verses, marking the ones for exalting the Lord with an “E.” Then use these verses in your prayer time to praise God!
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!Psalm 8:9 (NJKV)
For who has stood in the counsel of the Lord,
Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner;
…Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach… Psalm 106:23 (NKJV)
…O my lord, if the 
Yet I say to you that in this place there is
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