My Tea Time With Jesus

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:8-10‬ “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority."      Pretty straightforward and to the point. Do you feel 'incomplete'? Are you trying to fill a 'void' in your life? You CAN ONLY be 'complete' by filling yourself up with Jesus! His Holy Spirit in us, is here for us to HAVE a complete and full relationship, that's unconditional and fulfilling with Him! It's interesting, that scripture here says, "don't let anyone capture you" - capture flashes a visual of something being hunted or sought after. And we already know, as a Christian, we are prey to the enemy, here on earth. Being incomplete, is pretty lonely. On this ins...

Colossians 2:6-7 “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."      Wow!! The visual with this! The view of a massive, majestic tree on good, firm ground. A flash from an aerial view, then a deep view under the soil. Like watching a tree grow on 'fast motion' - yet just a journey of following it grow. This tree, is just as massive under the ground, as it is above! The big & little roots going every which way, weaving in and out of the ground with perfect precision, focused on heading to moisture/water. The water is 'Life' its Jesus. The tree has roots that seek out and hang on to every little bit it finds! This intricate beauty, is a firm & strong foundation. It's reach, is farther wide & much deeper, than the beauty built on top o...

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:3-5 “In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong."      Verses 3 & 4 are our truth, that reading Gods word, is where we find the treasures of wisdom & knowledge! Then the truth, that outside of Gods word & people - we are susceptible to deceit by well-crafted words & speech of others. Then verse 5, is pretty much how I pray. Expectantly. Confident in the outcome. Trusting that in Jesus, it WILL come to be! I rejoice too, in advance, for His answer to prayer.      How can we live as we should? How can our faith be strong in Christ? By searching & digging for treasure!! Today, put on your Pirate hat and get out your metal detector (our concordance) and start 'searching' for His hidden ...

Are you having trouble with fear, & trusting in God today? Here are a few verses that we can count on! Revelation 21:5 - His words are trustworthy and true. Psalm 9:10 - He has never forsaken us, nor left us. Romans 15:13 - our God, is a God of hope, He fills us with joy and peace. Isaiah 41:13  For I am the   Lord   your God,   who upholds your right hand,  Who says to you, ‘ Do not fear, I will help you.' Joshua 1:9  This is my command— be  strong and courageous!  Do   not   be   afraid  or discouraged. For the  Lord  your God is with you wherever you go.      Did you know joy is different than happiness? Happiness is based on our circumstances. Joy is deep inside, it's the trust & belief, that no matter what life throws at us on the outside - on the inside we KNOW that God is in control! That we have the expectation of praising Him & giving Him glory for how He WILL work all thing...

1 Timothy‬ ‭1:4-5 “Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith."      Have you ever had a conversation with someone that feels like 'it's SO off track' or that leads to a debate of things that just 'don't feel right'? LISTEN to that Red Flag from the Holy Spirit! Excuse yourself, and walk away! Why? Because the enemy uses these crazy opinions & topics to dance around in your head and thoughts for days, weeks, even months ahead. Being a part of a conversation that gets so derailed from truth, is NOT good for anyone! If you cannot bring it back to truth, giving God glory - then leave.      For me, when people start telling colorful, inappropriate jokes, if I can...

Proverbs 21:5 " Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,  but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."  Following S.O.A.P. S - Scripture: (above) O - Observation: I had a MEF (minds eye flash) with this one. I saw a blueprint of a very detailed, tall building. A building that was going to be used for something that required extra strength, security, and a firm foundation. Then looking up, there were several hands that were apart of this project. It is like I saw two different 'completions' of the building, done by two different sets of hands/crews.      The first crew, were all diligent in searching the blueprints every step of the way. (Like us reading the bible and turning to God with every step in our day.) At the end of the project, they had a building that was sturdy, strong, able to withstand anything that came at it. Also, because of the good, hard work done, everyone on the crew was rewarded with a bonus. Plus paid time off. The building, is ...

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:9 NLT "‬‬Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends." Following S.O.A.P. S - Scripture: listed above... O - Observation: When we have a forgiving heart, and allow that 'action' to happen, then love grows. However, the opposite is true too. If we 'dwell' on faults (past, present, or even future), then separation happens. A - Application: For me, as soon as I feel hurt, or something happens at the hands of someone else, I need to seek the Lord and His wisdom. Perhaps even "see it" from the their side. There are always two sides to every story, yet, we (I am) are quick to jump to victim mode, and focus on "us" and our feelings in the situation. There is nothing wrong with that actually. It becomes a problem when we "dwell" on it. Relive it. Replay it with different scenarios. Focus on it so much, that we begin to change the truth in the situation. Add to it, so to speak. It ...

Proverbs‬ ‭17:6 "Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children." Well, I have read this SO many times, I cannot even count! Today, however, the LAST part of this verse stuck out to me: "parents are the pride of their children." Ouch!! Are you proud to say your parents are your parents?!?! LOL I know as a teen, I was not - but as an adult, YES! As a teen, I remember feeling as if they had NO clue to me, my life, and all that was going on. Now, as an adult - I see that they really did have 'life experiences' and perhaps they did know a thing or two! What hit me today too, was that I need to keep in mind, that "I" am the one, to usher in our children, in to that place of feeling pride in me/us as parents. I'm sad to say, I have failed in this area far more than I have succeeded, but I'm not dead yet, and there is always today to make changes! Today, you may not be able to do, say, or act in a w...

Proverbs‬ ‭15:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬ "Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!" When someone tells you just the right thing at just the right time, isn't it like a hug?!?! If it is advise, encouragement, or even caution - when it fits just right, it just feels good and right! Now, if you are not a "hugger", then it may just feel like a good, fuzzy, warm blanket. Or like the feeling of that perfect cup of your favorite beverage....ahhhhhh! Now on the other hand, when you are the person 'talking' with someone, and you feel the nudging of the Holy Spirit to say something - do it! Not only will you bless the person receiving the words, but you will be blessed as well!! It is a double whammy so to speak :-) I feel like the bible does this EVERY day! Every time I read things, even if I have read them over and over, the words change and fit just perfectly! Even when the words are correcting me, they still feel GOOD! I...

Proverbs 14:1, 9, 17, 23, 26, 29, 30 Verse 1: A wise woman builds her home,  but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Verse 9:  Fools make fun of guilt,  but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. Verse 17:  Short-tempered people do foolish things,  and schemers are hated. Verse 23:  Work brings profit,  but mere talk leads to poverty! Verse 26:  Those who fear the   Lord   are secure; H e will be a refuge for their children. Verse 29:  People with understanding control their anger;  a hot temper shows great foolishness. Verse 30:  A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;  jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Did you know that a woman has the ability to "build her home" in such a way, that there is either peace and harmony, or chaos and destruction? That's right. A woman is the one that actually sets the tone in the home. From the moment she gets up in the morning, it is HER a...

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭8:19-20‬ ‭NLT‬‬ "Someone may say to you, "Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do." But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict His word are completely in the dark." Yes, we should ask God for guidance, not psychics or mediums or spirit guides... I've seen how desperate people reach out to others in situations, instead of God. Sadly, 99.9% of the time, it leads to disaster, confusion, falsehood, lies, and deep darkness! You see, Gods word, is filled with Him, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit! They live and breathe IN us! Alive! The bible has been described as "the living breathing words of God" and for good reason - IT IS!! Which is why, each time we read it, depending on our day, life, and any situations we are in - what we read actually ...

Psalms‬ ‭11:1-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬   I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, "Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?" But the Lord is in His holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see His face. Well, this kind of sounds like our world today. People afraid of the 'bad people' around us. So many people trying to go hide underground, off the grid, and where they 'think' they are safe from harm. Yet, even if the enemy ends ...

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9:1-2, 9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Verses 1-2: I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. I will be filled with joy because of You. I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High. Verses 9-10: The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You. Here again, are promises from God for us! Verses 9-10 tell us just WHO God is to/for us. He shelters us and is the One we can run to at any time, day or night! We can trust Him and all He tells us, directs us, and guides us in. When we seek Him, His wisdom, and His direction in things - even just in everyday living - He does not leave us, and will NEVER abandon us! I know I'm a 'broken record' and I keep repeating certain things - but this one IS worth it! :-)  Praising God, and thanking Him for the things He does in, to, and around us - should be first on our lip...

Isaiah‬ ‭31:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬ "What sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord, the Holy One of Israel." How true this is still today. Not the chariots of course, cars instead LOL - but the looking to 'people' and 'things' to help us and make us feel good and such... It is unfortunate, that we are still drawn on a daily basis, to seek help from those around us. Who in fact, are VERY limited by their abilities in what they can do with, to, or for us! The sorrow that comes when we try and do things in our own strength, or in the strength of people around us - really does add up and affect us big time! Then, we forget, that everyone has a 'life' outside of our little bubble. Sometimes, the daily grind gets in the way of communicating the way we would like to with friends and family. Or, we end up working longer hours than we expec...

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:2-3, 15, 18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Verse 2-3: For without consulting Me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection. You have tried to hide in his shade. But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated, and by depending on him, you will be disgraced. Verse 15: This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. Verse 18: So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help. How many times have you trusted in someone or something else BEFORE seeking God's advise, wisdom, direction...? For me, a TON of times! I have failed at this far too many times. When we "go down to Egypt" (which is people and places outside of God's will) we usually end up in a big mess! Yes, we als...

2 Kings‬ ‭6:16-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ "Don’t be afraid!" Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire." 1 John 4:4 NASB " You are from God,  little children, and  have overcome them; because  greater is He who is in you than  he who is in the world." Have you ever been in the midst of a circumstance, where you felt alone? In that moment, where you had to 'pick your battle' and you just felt so alone? We all have these decisions to make. We all have battles that come up around us in our day. The key is, how do we handle the battle? Yes, sometimes we have warning that something is coming, and we can better prepare for it in our mind and even physically. But what about those times, when you are going along life, minding your own business, and...

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:5-6‬ ‭Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. This is one of the most incredible promises in the bible!! We as Christians, do NOT have to be worried when someone curses at us! That's right! If we are not in the wrong, and or we are following what God directed us to do - and someone curses us, it will not stick!      Personally, I believe the opposite is actually true: if it doesn't stick to us, then it bounces back and sticks on them. Like that old saying when we were kids, "I'm rubber you're glue, what ever you say, bounces off me and sticks on you!" This DOES work BOTH ways though. If we are the ones cursing someone else, and they actually do NOT deserve it, guess wha...