My Tea Time With Jesus

Proverbs 26:2 "Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest."      Have you ever watched a swallow fly? Here in San Juan Capistrano, CA - we get to see them quite often. They fly VERY different from other birds! Not in a straight line, from one spot to another. Nope! They zig-zag, swoop, dart, backtrack, and almost spin when they fly. They look like they are going to land, then they pull up and zip away. It is an amazing thing to see!      Well, God gives us SO many things to see here and now, that represent what He promises us in His word, the bible. This is one of them. When someone curses at you or towards you, in your direction - the "curse" is like one of these swallows flying around. It does not land on you, one of Gods children. Now, if you haven't accepted Gods free gift of salvation through Jesus - then you have a different story on your hands. But if you HAVE accepted His free gift of salvation and ...

Proverbs 25:16 & 28 Verse 16 "If you find honey, eat just enough - too much of it, and you will vomit." Verse 28 "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control."      Well, these verses have a whole new meaning to me since my weight loss surgery! LOL However, these verses are something we all should consider when we eat. We all should eat "just enough" to give our bodies fuel, feeling satisfied. NOT feeling stuffed or over-full. How do we do this? With verse 28 - with self-control. How do we get self-control? Most of us cannot have it on our own. We need the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Calling on Jesus to help us!      Daily, when you wake up - you have a routine, right? In that 'routine' there needs to be a moment of prayer/confession to God in that we need His help and guidance throughout our day. I had a MEF (minds eye flash) when I read verse 28, that hit me like a ton of bricks (lol, no pun intended...

Proverbs 24:3-4 "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."      Have you read the book "The Prayer Cottage" or "The Shack"? Well, in both of these books, it brings this verse to life. As I read it, a MEF (minds eye flash) happened. I realized it was partly what God was showing me right now, and partly from both of those books. Seeing the ground being scooped up and corner posts and cement being put down first, to make a good foundation. Then as knowledge was filling up my insides, the foundation of the house started expanding. As I started to see this "house" coming together, board by board, brick by brick - I started to feel like I understood that the foundation and the cement base was the bible. What I can touch and see. Yet, somehow, as the walls started to come together, and the "foundation" and inner parts of the posts and wa...

Proverbs 23:12 "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge."      Well, this jumped out to me as part of my journey through life, and directly towards my journey in my weight loss adventure. Since my surgery, well - actually before my surgery, this verse urged me on almost daily. In order to make an informed decision to having surgery, I first had to be informed! The only way to do that, was to start asking questions. Then watching others that I learned had surgery before me. Asking them TONS of questions... I researched online through various resources about the many different types of surgeries out there now. The pros and cons. Then, when the time came, I STILL had more to learn! Actually, if we are honest with ourselves, we learn something new every day!      Gosh, this verse has helped me in SO many different situations in my life! Financially - learning how to keep record and get out of debt through FPU (financial peace uni...

Psalm 20 For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1  May the  Lord  answer you when you are in distress;      may the name of the God of Jacob  protect you. 2  May He send you help  from the sanctuary      and grant you support  from Zion. 3  May He remember  all your sacrifices      and accept your burnt offerings. 4  May He give you the desire of your heart      and make all your plans succeed. 5  May we shout for joy  over your victory      and lift up our banners  in the name of our God. May the  Lord  grant all your requests. 6  Now this I know:      The  Lord  gives victory to His anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary      with the victorious power of His right hand. 7  Some trust in chariots  and some in horses,...

Psalm 19:12-13a "But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep Your servant also from willful sins, may they not rule over me." Plasm 19:14 "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."      This is the prayer of my heart today. Asking God, my Father, to forgive me of anything I am hiding. Especially from myself. I know I used to be a "pro" at it LOL I was also a "pro" at doing things impulsively, which lead to many unwise choices!! When we can ask Him to gently show us where we are off track, He allows the Holy Spirit to do just that! Yes, sometimes, it is with a much stronger hand than others, but it is ALWAYS for our best! Just as we would do for our children or grandchildren even. For their sake.      Verse 13 hit me like a ton of bricks! I've read this a gazillion times, yet, it just jumped out at me to ask that my "willful sins NOT...

Psalm‬ ‭125:2‬ “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore."      Boy! I sure wish I could draw or paint the visual with this verse! Two different things popped in my head. Grand Canyon. Big, deep, engulfing. Being on the bottom floor of the canyon, surrounded by firm, sturdy, beautiful layers! The quietness of being completely surrounded and covered. No real opening, just me and rock. Sunlight with warmth that comforts, breeze that refreshes, and shade to find refuge. Just like God and His word!! The second is the ocean. The water so completely surrounds you when you are in it. The horizon seems to never end. The sun and its warmth, the breeze and it's refreshing, then a couple of clouds for relief and shade.      Like the air we breathe, and yet do not see - IS God! With us, every day! When we are following Him or rebelling against Him - He is with us, surrounding us with His love, mercy and grace. T...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭124:2-3, 6, 8 Vs 2-3: “if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;" Vs 6: "Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth." Vs 8: "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."      Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live back in bible days? Or, what it would be like to live in the Middle East where there are bombings EVERY day? To be surrounded by enemies, under attack every day? I have. Then I think back to as close as the 1970's, when there were bombings in our southern states over segregation. The Lord is here! He was there too! The terrorist attack on 9/11 - as bad as it was, if the Lord wasn't with us, we would have been destroyed, taken over, or even enslaved! Don't think it can happen in our time?? Think again!! It has happened to whole nations several times thru history!! We are NOT ex...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭122:1, 6-9‬ Vs 1: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Vs 6-9: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity."      Verse 1 is my praise for you and I. It's how I also rejoice when we go to church - we are gathering together (even if in different churches. One body, many members, remember) in the house of the Lord.      Verses 6-9 struck me as a prayer for America. I feel, we do need to pray for Israel and Jerusalem - but BIG time for America. Here's how I'm adding this to my prayers:     Vs 6-9: "I pray for the peace of America: “May those who love America be secure. May there be peace within America's walls and security within America's courts, polic...

James 1:19 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Well, this seemed to come at just the right time for me. I am learning that it is ALWAYS best to be slow to speak. In ALL circumstances! I've gotten myself in more trouble, "thinking" I know what someone is going to say, and prejudging their conversation. Which then leads me to saying something inappropriate for what they were actually going to say. I think to myself: "If I just would have let them finish their sentence..." seems to be a reacquiring theme for me. God sure does have a nice, gentle way of reminding us of things! Now, if I can just follow this verse, I'd be good. Today, if you have allowed some "creeping in" of some bad habits, then now is the time to confess those things, and let God come in and "clean house". If you have a 'potty mouth' and you just can't seem to hold your tongue, then confess that too. Ask our wonderful ...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭121:1-3‬ “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. He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber;"      Another song! The MEF (minds eye flash) I see with this: I am looking up at a mountain, and just as the words leave my lips of asking where my help comes from, a 'covering' happens. Like a shadow, but it's still sunny. A fog, yet clear. In that 'presence', is a calmness, peace, joy, and even contentment. The instant filling up in my soul, of assurance that God is there! Then, a feeling and comfort of understanding and knowledge that God is everywhere at all times. He's with me/us! He hears me/us! He watches over me/us and answers me/us! The 'fog' is not heavy and full of repression, but light and feels like goodness and life. It is not cold and dreary, but strangely warm, and like a big engulfing hug. No fear in the 'cove...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119:10, 12, 18, 20, 29, 33 Vs 10: “I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands." Vs 12: "Praise be to You, Lord; teach me Your decrees." Vs 18: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law." Vs 20: "My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times." Vs 29: "Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me Your law." Vs 33: "Teach me, Lord, the way of Your decrees, that I may follow it to the end."      BEFORE you read your bible, pray these verses! You will be amazed at how God will answer your prayer!!  Be blessed, safe and close with God today, I'm praying for you and your relationship with Jesus. That it grow more and more, as well as have deeper and deeper roots in Him and His Truth.

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭118:28-29 “You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, and I will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Pretty straight forward. Ever wonder why in the Bible or like in this chapter, something is repeated more than once? First of all, Psalms are songs. Just like songs we sing today, there is a chorus - which is repeated over and over. Usually, it's the chorus we remember and get stuck in our head. God wants certain truths to be 'stuck in our head' - better yet, 'stuck in our heart'! So, when something is repeated in scripture when you read, remember, it's important, grab hold of it, get it 'stuck' in your heart, mind, thoughts, and soul!! Let's start the week/today with a fresh, new, clean slate, ... praise God thru the ABC's, then thank Him thru the ABC's - lift Him up! Not for His sake, but for ours! This is so we will have truth in our thoughts and they will override th...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭117:1-2‬ “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord."      I do believe this is the shortest chapter in the whole bible!! 2 verses - that's it! Extol: to praise (someone or something) highly : glorify. So, at the green light - praise God. The item even more on sale - praise God. Accomplishing your daily tasks - praise God. In small and big things, praising Him and thanking Him is a way we show our heart towards Him. Our 'thanks' for His love, protection, mercy, compassion, grace, salvation.....it's the least we could do, to show love back to Him! Let's do our ABC's again today. Start with the letter A and praise God for something that starts with that letter. Then the letter B, and then C... all the way through the alphabet. Yes, you can be creative on a few letters LOL I'm praising God for applesauce, blueberries, chamom...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭116:1, 5, 7‬, 12 Vs 1: “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy." Vs 5: "The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion." Vs 7: "Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” Vs 12: “What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?"      I cannot help but have the thought and memory of my MANY cries to the Lord over my weight. Like verse 1. The inability of me having "will-power" to keep up healthy habits and choices on the tons of different 'diets' I tried. How many times I BEGGED Him for His guidance and direction! Then verse 5, brought to my mind, just how FULL of compassion He is to me! How He guided and directed me to researching surgery for weight loss. So that, when I was turned down and denied here in California by my insurance, He provided a way through Mexico. I had already been researching Mexico, so I just became a bit more diligent. It all ...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭115:11, 12-13, 14-15 Vs 11: “You who fear Him, trust in the Lord — He is their help and shield. vs 12-13: "The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless His people Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron, He will bless those who fear the Lord — small and great alike." Vs 14-15: "May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."      This chapter (vs 1) opens with a verse that is a song. Then opens up to truth that is a promise we can hang on to. Then a blessing on/to us!      He IS our help and shield! The end of verse 13, is for us 'great and small alike', we WILL be blessed! Verses 14-15 are His prayer and my prayer of blessing on/for/to you and your family!

Psalm‬ ‭114:3-8 “The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back? Why, mountains, did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs? Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water."      This chapter, flashed before my eyes, that when God was a 'fire' and 'cloud' He was here, with the people! When the mountains shook, and the waters fled - it was because God was present! This made me think, to look at 'natural disasters' a bit different. When God is THERE walking among people's, and earthquakes happen - it's because it's here, in scripture "Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord" He can and does turn dry things into fresh, living, flowing things! Like me! Like our hearts! Wow! Just picturing God walking among us, c...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭113:3, 5-6 Vs 3: “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised." Vs 5-6: "Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?"     Beautiful, short Psalm. Verse 3 hit me as a reminder, all of our day  night - we are to praise Jesus in all things at all times.     Verses 5-6 hit a little different. At first, I saw like Jack and the Bean Stalk, nope too small. Then like the Giant Tree thing in a new movie coming out with a little boy. Nope, too small. Then I re-read "who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth" - then I saw our world, as but the size of a ping pong ball at the feet of God!! He bends down, and looks at us, our universe, but we are like TINY in His hands! Yet, we are precious. And He KNOWS each and every one of us PERSONALLY! Fully! Completely! Every detail of us and our life! Wow! Who indeed, is like our God?...

Psalm‬ ‭112:4, 6-7 Vs 4: “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous." Vs 6-7: "Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord."      "They will have no fear of bad news" - Well, wouldn't that be a nice way to live every day?!?! I feel like I live like this most days. However, there are times when I worry about things or situations. We all do. It is the getting stuck in that fear, that most believers in Jesus, do not get stuck in. "Bad news" for anyone, has its moments of fear, worry, uncertainty... yet, knowing and believing that God has a plan thru whatever it is, and knowing that our hope is in Jesus, not the circumstances - well, that makes it all possible for us.      Ever hear the saying, "The worst day as a Christian, is better than the best day ____!"...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭109:26-27, 31 Vs 26-27: “Help me, Lord my God; save me according to Your unfailing love. Let them know that it is Your hand, that You, Lord, have done it. Vs 31: "For He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them."     Wow! This chapter is a BIG 'go get 'em God!' chapter!! I've had a few 'friends' who ended up actually being enemies in disguise, and WOW verses 1-5 describe it perfectly! However, it's verse 27, that is my heart, in all things. That when God rescues me or blesses me - that 'they' know it's His hand, it's Him doing it - not me!     Verse 31 is a promise for ALL of us! We are the 'needy' He stands with. Being needy is a BIG word! It could be actual needs: financial, physical, emotional, mental, even relational. No matter if we need food on the table, or all green lights to get to work on time - He IS standing right there with us! We could also be ...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭108:6, 12-13 Vs 6: “Save us and help us with Your right hand, that those You love may be delivered." Vs 12-13: "Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies."      This Psalm opens with verses that are in a song - funny how I sing thru it instead of just reading LOL      Here are verses that popped out to me, to pray for our President and our country. I LOVE the part "for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory" it is SO true!! I wonder... there have been a couple of Presidents that were not politicians in the past, I wonder if they were covered in prayer? They were 'the people's President' so I'm thinking the people prayed them up. Hmmm - we need our War Room. A place we can go, sit, pray, confess, reflect.... either putting prayers up on a board, or on index cards in a box, or in a notebook - we REALLY need to devote prayer ...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭107:10-11, 13-14‬ Vs 10-11: “Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High." Vs 13-14: "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains."      Here is another promise for us from God! The MEF (minds eye flash) I got: a room beneath a room, with no light at all, and a person sitting there with heavy chains made of solid iron, alone, contemplating their life and choices. Because they 'chose' to be a prodigal, and follow the lusts of their heart - they ended up in this darkest of dark places. The weight of the emotions attached to the choices they have made were displayed on them with different thicknesses of chains. One as thick as anchor chain. So heavy and thick, that it nearly takes their breath away. Others are smalle...

Psalm‬ ‭106:8, 12-13, 39, 43-45 Vs 8: “Yet He saved them for His name’s sake, to make His mighty power known." Vs 12-13: "Then they believed His promises and sang His praise. But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His plan to unfold." Vs 39: "They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves." Vs 43-45: "Many times He delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. Yet He took note of their distress when He heard their cry; for their sake He remembered His covenant and out of His great love He relented.”      The Cliff Note History Lesson continues.... Today, the Lord does the same thing with us! Things happen to, around, or with us - not for our sake really, but for His names sake! To show His great and mighty power! Vs 12-13 is soooooooo us in our day!! God does something miraculous and we 'raise the roof' with praising Him.... then.... we forget. Then...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭105:2, 4-5‬ Vs 2: “Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. VS 4: "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Vs 5: "Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced,"      Here is another Psalm with a short history lesson. Cliff notes so to speak. Wouldn't it be neat, if we had a way of passing down 'our story' with God?!?! Sharing the wonderful acts He's done in OUR life, the life of our family?!?! I think that's why I got involved in scrapbooking, to have the memories to share. Bummer is, all of our kids and grandkids are so far away.      Back in bible times, they built alters, that were to serve as 'memory' of Gods provision, promises, and judgments. We are missing this in our day and time. Stories, memories, proof - to share and pass down to future generations, is definitely a lost art in this generation.      Today, let's point out when we ...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭104:20-23‬ “You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening."      This chapter describes a lot of how the animals on earth are provided for by God. At His hand, they are fed, not fed, live and or die. He then creates them again. But this part here in the middle, reminded me of living in the high desert. It was after sunset, that all sorts of animals and creatures came out. Both the hunters and the prey. I never thought of it as a time that animals 'seek their food from God' - but it totally fits!! Then, as the temperature starts to change, and the sun starts to rise, they go back to their homes. THEN 'we' start to wake and work and seek our daily provision from God! Wow!! If you want a 'short version' of creation and hi...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103:3, 10-12, 17 Vs 3: “who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases," Vs 10-12: "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Vs 17: "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children—”      Wow! This Psalm is full of good nuggets and promises! So I'm totally claiming verse 3 right now!! Then verse 17, is comforting to my thoughts of our kids and grand-kids. Verses 10-12 is just a big reminder that we are NOT getting what we actually deserve as punishment for what we do. Which reminds me of someone 'behaving' badly, "they" are NOT their action or behavior, "they" are a person whom God loves, and created in His ima...

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭102:17 “He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their plea." Yet another promise from our Father, God! Have you ever felt like you were "the destitute"? I know I have! Especially when I am isolated and alone. However, even in my darkest hours, He HAS heard me, my cry and my prayers and plea to Him! The truth is, He does NOT leave us, EVER! When we feel He is 'far from us' - it is NOT the Lord that moved or walked away.... it is us! We have broken the fellowship with Him that we once had. Yes, I have felt like a toddler SO many times over and over! Just as I think I've progressed and advanced in my relationship with Him, something changes and I learn something new. So instead of entering High School, I'm just entering kindergarten LOL That is why and how I KNOW that He is alive and well! The bible is the living and breathing words of God! WE CAN learn something NEW every day - IF we choose to read it, listen, and f...

Psalm‬ ‭101:1-2‬ “I will sing of Your love and justice; to You, Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will You come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart."      Beautiful way to start the day! However, ouch! The last part 'I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart' - I REALLY need to 'conduct' my house!! I have fallen out of practice with a routine, and it is therefore leading to disorder. I am praying for diligence and consistency for myself to get things in order. The other part, 'blameless heart' - I asked the Lord what that means for me? He whispered that what my Mom did or didn't do, I am not to be blamed for. However, that which I DO know, I need to follow. Gladly, as if I were doing it for Jesus. Well, of course I 'know' that way of thinking, but I just don't follow it like I want to. It is hard to let go of the past sometimes. Both from the acti...

Psalm‬ ‭100:1-5‬ “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."      Another Psalm that is a song! Short, simple, truthful, to the point. The MEF (minds eye flash) I had at "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise" was seeing a marvelous looking 'gate' protecting an enormous and grand palace, yet, right at the edge of my bed. All I need do is roll out and 'step' into the area to enter the gates. Because of Jesus, we can come to the throne room of God at ANY time, day or night! What struck me, as a reminder today: instead of waking up and giving Jesus my 'to...