Bible Mom: If Sarah gave Thanks…

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6

Sarah laughed. She didn’t cry. She didn’t say, “That’s crazy!” She didn’t immediately rejoice in thanks and praise to God. Sarah laughed.

Do you remember the story of Sarah? We meet her early on in our Bibles, right in the book of Genesis. Her name really began as Sarai, meaning “my princess,” and Abraham’s name was Abrahm. Sarai was a very beautiful lady, so beautiful that Abraham told kings she was his sister to protect himself. She actually was his sister, but only a half-sister.

Sarai had an interesting life as God called Abrahm to move. She became accustomed to living in tents and honored Abrahm’s wishes when he requested her silence. Sarai did have one fault: She didn’t trust God to provide her with a child, so she gave her servant Hagar to Abraham. Hagar conceived and bore a son name Ishmael, but He wasn’t God’s chosen heir. Sarai then abused Hagar and Ishmael because she wanted a child (Genesis 16).

Finally, God looked with favor on the elderly couple, sending an angel to announce a baby. Abrahm was given the new name Abraham, and Sarai was given the name Sarah, meaning “princess.” She would no longer be just Abraham’s princess, but the mother of many! When the baby announcement came, Sarah was hiding in the tent. Since she was 90 years old (Genesis 17:17) and thought she’d never have a baby, she laughed at the news (Genesis 18:12). And so her baby was given the name Isaac which means laughter.

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. Hebrews 11:11 (NKJV)

Can you imagine Sarah’s THANKS to God after the birth of Isaac? What would she say?

THANK You, Lord, for this son you have given me in my old age.

THANK You for hearing my prayers from so long ago.

THANK You for forgiving me for my sin in sharing Hagar and then abusing her.

THANK You for taking away my shame and blessing me.

THANK You for watching over us all our lives as we moved from here to there, protecting me from those kings who might have touched me.

THANK You for being the One who formed the stars and Your promise that our children will be as many as the stars (Genesis 15:5).

THANK You again and again for this baby.

THANK You, Oh, Lord, my God. Amen.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read Sarah’s story in Genesis 18:1-15. Ponder what Sarah might have prayed in THANKSGIVING. What blessings do you have for which to THANK God? This is what the first “T” of the TEA CUPP is all about, giving Him THANKS.

This week underline THANKSGIVING verses in your BIBLE. Put a “T” next to the verses, choosing one to write in your prayer journal. Use this as a conversation starter for your THANKSGIVING prayers. Here are some verses to get you started…

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. Psalm 75:1

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

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

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

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

Thank you to Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org for the great clip art!

TEA Event Planner

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)

Hello, dear TEA Friends! Thank you for inviting me to your next ladies’ gathering. To make your event a success, I put together this short event planner to help you. I’m praying for you as you plan for your special day!

3-6 months in advance of your TEA:

Pray!
Pick a date and book the date with Jennifer Grace (be sure to check for other community events, weddings, etc. happening that day in your town. Pick a date that works for most people).
Recruit your committee. Be sure to include the chairperson (keeps everyone moving forward on their tasks, plans schedule, stays in touch with Jennifer Grace), prayer coordinator (encourages congregation to pray for the event), music (plans and coordinates music for event), decorations (plans a happy tea party atmosphere, one idea is to have different ladies each host a table with their fancy china), refreshments (plans menu, perhaps a potluck or simple tea and cookies), publicity (newspaper, facebook, posters, invitations to other churches, etc.), facilities/sound (set-up of gathering area, along with sound system/AV).

2-4 months before your TEA:

Pray!
Confirm your date with Jennifer Grace.
Meet with committee to see how they are progressing on their projects (prayer coordinator, music, decorations, refreshments, publicity, facilities) . Who needs help?

1-2 months before your TEA:

Pray!
Meet with the committee. Finalize all details (prayer coordinator, music, decorations, refreshments, publicity, facilities) and tasks for each person. Make sure they each have a good team to help them.
Check in with Jennifer Grace to let her know how you are doing.

1 week before your TEA:

Pray!
Meet with your committee. Check all the details (prayer coordinator, music, decorations, refreshments, publicity, facilities). Encourage ladies to bring friends.

Day of the TEA:

Pray! Glorify Jesus for this special day!

Sample Schedules from other TEAS:

Evening TEA:

5:00 Worship Music in Sanctuary
5:15 Guest Speaker: Jennifer Grace
6:00 Potluck in Fellowship Hall on fancy tables

Afternoon TEA:

2:00 Tea welcome and etiquette
2:10 Tea games
2:25 Tea party with door prizes and conversation starters
3:20 Guest speaker: Jennifer Grace
3:50 Wrap-up and Prayer

Morning TEA:

10:00 Gathering and welcome
10:15 Tea and cookies
10:30 Guest speaker: Jennifer Grace
11:30 Prayers and good-byes

MOPS Tea Party:

9:00 Brunch and fellowship and announcements
9:30 Guest Speaker: Jennifer Grace
10:15 Craft: Modge Podge Prayer Journals
11:00 Closing Prayer and Good-byes

As we pray for this special TEA event, here are some of my prayers…

For Jesus to be glorified!
For God to send the exact ladies He wants there.
For Jesus to strengthen and guide the event chairperson.
For the Lord to give me (Jennifer Grace) the words He wants me to share.
For the Holy Spirit to fill your church or gathering area.
For lives to be transformed by Jesus and His Word with ladies spending time with Him each day in prayer.
For God’s hand of protection over the entire event.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)

Witness of the Stone

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Luke 24:2 (NKJV)

Easter is here in just a few days! In just a few days we proclaim, “He is risen!” (Mark 16:6) Who is risen? It’s Jesus! How do we know He is risen? Because the stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty and Jesus appeared to so many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6). Would you consider that perhaps the first witness to Jesus’ resurrection was the stone?

The stone that was rolled in front of the tomb (Mark 16:46).

The stone that was sealed with the Roman seal and guarded by Roman guards (Matthew 27:66).

The stone that would be too heavy for the ladies to move who came Sunday morning to anoint His body with spices (Mark 16:3).

But the stone had already been rolled away by an angel and an earthquake (Matthew 28:2)! The stone miraculously rolled away, leaving fainting guards and an empty tomb (Matthew 28:4-6)! If the stone could tell the story, what would it say?

Having stones as witnesses is not something new. Centuries before Jesus’ crucifixion when God’s people entered the Promised Land, Joshua set up stones as a witness (Joshua 4:7). Right before Joshua died, he set up another stone, declaring…

…“Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the Lord which He spoke to us. It shall therefore be a witness to you, lest you deny your God.” Joshua 24:27 (NKJV)

We wonder what Joshua’s stone thought when God’s people turned away from Him again and again and again? Did it witness to all the words of Moses and Joshua? Did it tell the people how far they had fallen from God? Did the stone show God how much His people needed a Savior?

And when that Savior, God’s Son Jesus, came to walk this earth, He taught the people about stones. He said He could raise up children for Abraham from the stones (Luke 3:8), that if the people didn’t praise God, the very stones would cry out to worship Him (Luke 19:40), and that the Stone the builders rejected had become the Chief Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22).

But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40 (NKJV)

Yes, the stone that rolled away is a witness for us that Jesus, who died for our sins on the cross, was buried, and the third day rose to eternal life. The stone shouts, “The tomb is empty! Jesus is risen!” We must believe the stone moved and Jesus is alive, or our faith is in vain.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Listen to the witness of the stone: Jesus is risen! Read one of the Gospel accounts (perhaps Matthew 28:1-10) of this greatest story ever, the true story of our Savior Jesus rising from the grave. Believe in Jesus. Thank Him for His saving work on the cross, His forgiveness, and His promise of eternal life in heaven.

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

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 (NKJV)

Ways YOU can PRAY for my ministry…

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

Dear TEA Friends,
This spring I share with you video clips from an interview my pastor hosted for me last year. Today I offer a short clip entitled, “Ways YOU can PRAY for my ministry.” I share some of my current projects and how you can be praying for me to bear fruit for Jesus. I sure appreciate your prayers!
To view more of my interview please see…

Hello from Jennifer Grace,

How to Have TEA with Jesus.

If you’d like me to come speak for your next ladies’ gathering or retreat, please contact me here.

Thank you for visiting My TEA CUPP Prayers and praying for my ministry to invite ladies everywhere to have TEA each day with Jesus, the King of kings.

Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. Romans 15:30 (NKJV)

Video Credits: Sam Fossum and Pastor Bryan Baker, 2018

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)

How to have TEA with Jesus

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

How to have TEA with Jesus

Dear TEA Friends,
This spring I share with you video clips from an interview my pastor hosted for me last year. Today I offer a short clip entitled, “How to have TEA with Jesus.” First we let Jesus speak by reading God’s Word, the Bible. Then we use favorite Bible verses as conversations starters as we pour our hearts out to Jesus in prayer. New footage brings more clarity to answer the disciples’ question: “Lord, teach us to pray.”
To view more of my interview please see Hello from Jennifer Grace, My Testimony, My Mission,One Life to Spend, and My Dream and His Promise. If you’d like me to come speak for your next ladies’ gathering or retreat, please contact me here.

Thank you for visiting My TEA CUPP Prayers and praying for my ministry to invite ladies everywhere to have TEA each day with Jesus, the King of kings.

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

Video Credits: Sam Fossum and Pastor Bryan Baker, 2018

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)

His Promise

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you... James 4:8 (NKJV)

Dear TEA Friends,
This month I share with you video clips from an interview my pastor hosted for me last year. Today I offer a short clip entitled, “His Promise.” Jesus promises us that He will come if we just open the door of our hearts to Him.
To view more of my interview please see Hello from Jennifer Grace, My Testimony, My Mission,One Life to Spend, and My Dream. If you’d like me to come speak for your next ladies’ gathering or retreat, please contact me here.

Thank you for visiting My TEA CUPP Prayers and praying for my ministry to invite ladies everywhere to have TEA each day with Jesus, the King of kings.

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)

Video Credits: Sam Fossum and Pastor Bryan Baker, 2018

(NKJV)

My Dream

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’ … Mark 11:17 (NKJV)

My Dream with Jennifer Grace

Dear TEA Friends,
This month I share with you video clips from an interview my pastor hosted for me last year. Today I offer a short clip entitled, “My Dream.” My dream is to see ladies all over America having TEA with Jesus each day, reading their Bibles and praying to Him; and there will be a revival in our land. To view more of my interview please see Hello from Jennifer Grace, My Testimony, My Mission, and One Life to Spend. If you’d like me to come speak for your next ladies’ gathering or retreat, please contact me here.

Thank you for visiting My TEA CUPP Prayers and praying for my ministry to invite ladies everywhere to have TEA each day with Jesus, the King of kings.

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

Video Credits: Sam Fossum and Pastor Bryan Baker, 2018

One Life to Spend

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart. **Psalm 40:8 (NKJV)**

Dear TEA Friends,
This month I share with you video clips from an interview my pastor did with me last year. Today I offer an excerpt from my book, *My TEA CUPP Prayers, entitled Only One Life to Spend.* In *Let’s Talk About Calling,* I share even more about how God called me to this ministry to invite ladies to TEA with Jesus. To view more of my interview please see my Hello from Jennifer Grace post. If you’d like me to come speak for your next ladies’ gathering or retreat, please contact me here.

Thank you for visiting My TEA CUPP Prayers and praying for my ministry to invite ladies everywhere to have TEA each day with Jesus, the King of kings.

Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
1 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV)

Video Credits: Sam Fossum and Pastor Bryan Baker, 2018

My Coat

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

We all need coats, especially this time of year in the northern United States. Each day as we don our coats to head outside, we might contemplate the coats in the Bible. Did you know there are so many Bible coats?

The first coats: It all began when Adam and Eve listened to Satan the snake, ate the forbidden fruit, and realized they were naked. Because they had disobeyed God, Adam and Eve could no longer stay in God’s perfect garden. But before He kicked them out of Eden, God made clothing for Adam and Eve out of animal skins. When God killed his dear animal friends, that was the first time blood was shed for sins, pointing to the day when Jesus would shed His blood for our sins on the Cross. Adam’s and Eve’s animal skin coats were the first coats in the Bible.

Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
Genesis 3:21 (NKJV)

More coats: Flip forward a few pages in Genesis to the story of Joseph. In this passage, Joseph’s father Jacob gave him a beautiful coat, making his brothers very jealous and leading to his slavery in Egypt. A second coat in Potiphar’s house got him thrown in prison (Genesis 39). John MacArthur in his Study Bible tells us that Joseph was a type of Christ, pointing us to Jesus. Both had their coats taken from them and were falsely accused. Both Joseph and Jesus were shepherds of their Father’s sheep. Both were dearly loved by their Fathers, but hated by their brothers. Both were placed with two other criminals, one who was saved and one who was lost. And both Joseph and Jesus forgave those who wronged them and saved their nations. What men had intended for evil, God turned to good. And their coats played a big part of the story.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors.
Genesis 37:3 (NKJV)

A Spirit-filled coat:: Next jump ahead to Elijah in 2 Kings 2:13. Here Elijah’s protegee Elisha waited to see Elijah go to heaven. Finally, after following Elijah everywhere, Elisha watched as God took Elijah up in a whirlwind. When he was gone, Elisha found Elijah’s cloak on the ground. He picked it up and took it with him and God gave Elisha double the Spirit of Elijah!

He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
2 Kings 2:13 (NKJV)

A clean coat: Then in the book of Isaiah, long before Jesus even brought us salvation, Isaiah proclaimed we will have a garment of praise! We are clothed in garments of salvation and covered in robes of righteousness! Oh, what joy! Oh, what a promise!!! And again the prophet Zechariah promises that God gives us a clean robe.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 (NKJV)

Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”
Zechariah 3:4 (NKJV)

The wrong coat: The prophet Zephaniah cautions us to beware of wearing foreign apparel. We must be wearing the robe Jesus gives us. This warning is echoed again in Matthew when Jesus tells the story of a king having a wedding party…

And it shall be,
In the day of the Lord’s sacrifice,
That I will punish the princes and the king’s children,
And all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.
Zephaniah 1:8 (NKJV)

But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 22:11-13 (NKJV)

The healing coat: Also in the New Testament, time after time Jesus heals and heals and heals. The people who follow Him long to just touch His coat for healing. So I pray for all on my prayer list who are need of Jesus healing, to just touch the robe of Jesus and be healed like the people in Matthew 14…

And begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.
Matthew 14:36 (NKJV)

A royal coat: And finally, flip to Revelations where Jesus returns to marry His bride the church. And just like He clothed Adam and Eve, Jesus provides the wedding garments for His bride. He gives us the whitest most beautiful robe of all, washed clean by His precious blood.

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 19:8 (NKJV)

So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:14 (NKJV)

Oh, Jesus, I don’t deserve it, but You gave it to me anyway — Your beautiful coat, pure and white and every color of the rainbow all at once! Oh, Jesus, what a miracle! You take our filthy rags and make us beautiful!

Today’s TEA CUPP: My dear friend, put on the righteous robe which Jesus has given you. Thank Him for His forgiveness and healing. Stay away from the wrong coats. Look up these fantastic coat verses in your Bible today. And welcome the day when Jesus comes again to clothe us all in white robes and take us home!

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
(The Solid Rock by Edward Mote,1834)

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin
And be washed in the blood of the lamb
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean
O, be washed in the blood of the lamb.
( Are you Washed in the Blood? Elisha A. Hoffman, 1878)

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers!

If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also enjoy A Tale of Two Coats and Filthy Rags.

TEA with Colossians

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Jennifer Grace

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)

It’s our final week with the popcorn girls! This month we’ve been exploring “Girls Eat Pop Corn,” a mnemonic device for the order of four short books in the New Testament. “Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians” are our Girls Eat Pop Corn books.

This week we visit Colossians. Pop a batch of popcorn as you study these verses this week…

T for Thanksgiving:

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you…
Colossians 1:3 (NKJV)

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

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Colossians 1:16-17 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV)

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5 (NKJV)

Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
Colossians 3:9-10 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10 (NKJV)

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV)

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Colossians 4:5 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:

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

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Colossians 3:3-4 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:

And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2:10 (NKJV)

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning:

…always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read the book of Colossians in your Bible this week. Underline your favorite verses or the ones listed above. Use these verses as conversation starters as you pour your heart out to Jesus in prayer for THANKSGIVING, EXALTING, ADMITTING, talking to God about your CALLING, UNDERSTANDING your story, claiming God’s PROMISES, and PETITIONING. May you always remember these four books when you see girls eating pop corn!

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
Colossians 2:6 (NKJV)

My TEA CUPP Prayers

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

Tag Archives: tea with Jesus

Bible Mom: If Sarah gave Thanks…

TEA Event Planner

3-6 months in advance of your TEA:

2-4 months before your TEA:

1-2 months before your TEA:

1 week before your TEA:

Day of the TEA:

Sample Schedules from other TEAS:

Evening TEA:

Afternoon TEA:

Morning TEA:

MOPS Tea Party:

As we pray for this special TEA event, here are some of my prayers…

Witness of the Stone

Ways YOU can PRAY for my ministry…

How to have TEA with Jesus

His Promise

My Dream

One Life to Spend

My Coat

TEA with Colossians