My Tea Time With Jesus

Who’s “driving” your attitude today? What is the “right” attitude when praying? Do this at all times, in all situations, pray without ceasing… 1 Timothy 2:8-10 (MSG) Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray – not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the lasts fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it. I know I know, “how can I pray at all times in all things?!” is a question we ALL ask. The thing is, when we start to trust Jesus in ALL things, it makes it pretty easy to turn to Him in ALL situations and circumstances. Kind of like, when you have someone with you, right at your side – in the middle of something. If you are like me, even if you don’t mean to say something out loud, because there is a “person” there next to you, you DO say something out loud LOL Well...

Is it possible to live in peace and harmony? Is it possible to live by goodness and with dignity? This is how you do it: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT) 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. Gosh! It seems so simple, right?!?! Think about it… the easiest thing we could ever do that benefits EVERYONE: pray for them! Yup, everyone. Those in your house, in your neighborhood, at school, at work. Those that run the city, state, country. Those in far-away places. The many people serving and defending our country… the list goes on and on.   Ok – I can imagine what you are thinking, “But Lisa Marie, that will take ALL day to do. And you want me to do it EVERY d...

What is the purpose of the bible? What is the purpose of laws? Do they tie us down or set us free? 1 Timothy 1:2b, 6, 8-11 (NLT & GNT) 2b NLT: May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace. 6 NLT: The purpose of my instruction (the bible) is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 8-11 GNT: We know that the law is good if it is used as it should be used. It must be remembered, of course, that laws ae made, not for good people, but for lawbreakers and criminals, for the godless and sinful, for those who are not religious or spiritual, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the immoral, for sexual perverts, for kidnappers, for those who lie and give false testimony or who do anything else contrary to sound doctrine. That teaching is found in the gospel that was entrusted to me to announce, the Good News from the glorious and blessed Go...

Are you in a corner full of darkness? Swimming in the pool of despair? Are things neither going good or bad? Zephaniah 1:12 (NIV) “I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.” Well, ouch!! I have been in this position before! I have sat in a place of being complacent thinking that God won’t do anything to or for me, good or bad. Wow! That He searches for me, even in the darkest corners! This made me think of when I was caught in my addictions. How, I would do all things to feed those addictions, in the dark. Because I was so caught up in my selfishness and sinful desires, I didn’t see or hear the Lord and His voice. I didn’t read His word, or go to small groups. No studying of His word… yes, I did go to church – I had to keep up appearances after all LOL I just had a flash-back of just how much God really DID love me!! He actually got out His...

How do we live in a way that doesn’t keep getting us into trouble? How about cravings? Are they healthy and wise, or destructive and harmful? In most of our lives, cravings are a mixture of both (for me anyway that is). Galatians 5:16 (NLT) “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Easier said than done, right?? Well, not really. However, it does take practice. What is hard about it is that we still and always WILL have cravings! We have every day, normal, routine cravings that we seem to have to fight every day all day long (or am I alone?!). Then we have those once in a while cravings. Or something that jumps up out of thin air that we never even thought of before! Right?! According to God’s word, and my own practice, the only way to conquer our cravings (in any and all areas) is to pray. Yup, pray. Not just any prayer mind you, but a prayer with power and faith. First thing, you have to be willing to...

Boy!! God sure does have a sense of humor!! LOL Proverbs 15:2 (NLT) The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. I had the silliest MEF (mind’s eye flash) with this verse today! I saw a person talking. Wise words of wisdom sharing their knowledge. As the words came out of their mouth they were like ALL of the things I find appealing! Food, places, things, people… The feeling of peace and solace were like a sweet cloud surrounding them as they spoke, and me as I listened. Truly appealing!! Then, another person started speaking. As they spoke there was a fog or haze of sorts flowing around them. Coming out of their mouth the words were encased in the most stinky, gross, colored haze and stink! Worse than the gas from a dog! It came in waves like they were burping up the words from their intestines. What a visual in such a short few words LOL But it actually made me think: what if we really could SEE peoples wor...

Have you ever seen an abandoned stable? How about an abandoned field or property? Looks pretty sad, right? Compare that to when you drive through an active, thriving farm area – BIG difference, right?! Proverbs 14:4 (NLT) Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. An interesting MEF (mind’s eye flash) happened as I read this twice. First, of a beautiful, clean, fresh barn – empty! Ready for people and such, but no animals. Then a flash out to the field. It was dry, dirt mostly, nothing “living” there either. As I looked back in the barn, it then had animals in it. Along with the smell and dirtiness that is there in the stalls. The floors were still clean and ready for people, but there was animal “things” everywhere. Food, bedding, harness, manure, and so on. Then as I turned and looked out at the field – it was almost as far as the eye could see. Beautiful colors of the different foods being frown. Alive, vibrant, FULL. J Then as I ...

This is the time of year people have two different opinions of "Merry and Bright" lol Proverbs 20:1 (NLT) Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise. With the holiday celebrations in full swing, I have actually seen this in action! When adult beverage is involved, people are not very responsible. At the first sign of a ‘buzz’ people start to joke and make comments that could be considered mocking. Then a few more drinks in, and a comment leads to inappropriate behaviors, that end up causing some sort of disagreement which leads to some kind of fight. Sure, maybe verbal, but physical as well. It was the last line here that got me: Those led astray by drink cannot be wise. I know for me personally, when I have had alcohol, I can be a bit brain-dead with my actions and choices. Have you ever been around someone that knows that when they have had too much to drink, they are “easier” to coax into things? It could be spendi...

What are you hungry for? Are you craving something? Perhaps you are full and content… Proverbs 10:3 (NLT) “ The  Lord  will not let the godly go hungry, but He refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked. ” Interesting how the book of Proverbs puts together good vs. evil; right vs. wrong; life vs. death… In each example, I see myself in BOTH of the things written from different times in my life. I believe the Lord shows us these things both as a reminder and as a warning. Sadly, if we are not in the Word of God on a regular basis, we miss out on these things L   Today, I am reminded that even when things are hard and really tough, I am always taken care of. The Holy Spirit finds a way to guide me to people, places, and or things that take care of me and “feed” me. Oh how I remember, when I’m not walking with Jesus, spending time building up our relationship – I start to ‘crave’ things, and none of them satisfy me! Why? Because the relationship I am needing...

Sometimes "family" happens when we least expect it... What’s your family like? Do you come from a big or small family? Are you the only one left in your family? Have you ever longed to be in another family? Do you KNOW that you ARE a part of a very large family – the family of God? These verses jumped out at me today after Romans 8 took me on a journey to look up other verses saying the same thing lol Then, when the ‘understanding’ hit – I had the most amazing MEF (mind’s eye flash). Romans 8:14-17  14   For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  15   The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to son-ship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  16   The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  17  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, ...

Need a Little Encouragement We ALL have those days when we feel a little “less than” – nothing wrong with that! It is quite normal actually. That is why I believe the Lord gave us the bible and all of the verses in it – so that we can learn to look to Him for our peace, comfort, strength, joy… Here are a couple of verses that jumped out at me today that just give me that TOTAL confidence that He IS with me AND YOU!! When I feel like I am letting others down, or have fallen short in something, this verse is what I like to repeat over and over. It is the TRUTH from God, not from my own head and thoughts – but TRUTH we can hold on to and repeat back to God over and over. He IS with us, no matter where we are and or what we are going through – He is here!! Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” The days I start out on the “low side” I am ...

Jesus Calling - November 19th Wow - this is perfect for today!! Thank You Lord for this short but spot-on truth today!! This is something that is SO hard to do at times!! Yet, it is something we are told to do over and over again throughout the bible. Trust in the path that the Lord has us on. Follow Him. The BIG thing that seems to be the hardest for me, is the times of "rest". There have been times I KNOW it is the Lord leading me to 'be still and rest'... what do I do?!?! Fill it up with something else! Then, regret it almost immediately. Unbeknownst to me, right around the corner came some circumstance that I REALLY could have used the "rest" to be better able to handle what came my way! Anyway, each and every day, takes a commitment on our part, to get up and say, "Ok Lord, lets do this thing!" and just trust His leading for the day. I pray that you are able to see and hear His promptings for you today. If you are at the edge of a c...

Do You Know Your Purpose? God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us, He does! Psalm 57:1-2 1  Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to You for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings until the danger passes by. 2  I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me. Yes, there are dangers out there. Some that seem to chase us on a daily basis LOL Yet, with God in control, we get to cry out to Him for help and hide beneath His wings. Another MEF (mind’s eye flash) happened.      Running in fear close to the edge of a cliff, I am able to stop abruptly, turn and cry to the heavens for God’s help. Instantly, my eyes are opened and I see the HUGE angels surrounding me, protecting me. I sense the “covering” of something peaceful, pure, safe. As I blink my eyes to what I see, I look up and the blue sky is hidden by a soft veil of what appears to be feathers. They are solid yet sheer....

We CAN Let God Do The Punishing Psalm 56:7 (NLT) “Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in Your anger, O God, bring them down. ” It is hard to give up control to someone else, I get it, I do. However, the bible tells us over and over again, that the Lord is the One that is our Avenger. He is the One on the throne that is King and rules justly. God knows everyone inside and out, from before we are born until the day we die, and then into eternity. He doesn’t want anyone to die separated from Him, He doesn’t! However, He gives us all the “free will” to choose Jesus or reject Jesus. That simple. Then, there are days and situations, that just seem to come at us and we REALLY want to fight back! OR if you grew up like me, you were told NOT to fight back, and to “love” everyone. Do unto others as you would have them do to you… Well, that 'way' created in me a person that was a door-mat. Not what God actually intended I don’t believe. Through my journey in li...

What Feels SO Heavy - Can Be Lifted Away Psalm 55:1-7; 18 (NLT) 1  Listen to my prayer, O God.      Do not ignore my cry for help! 2  Please listen and answer me,      for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. 3  My enemies shout at me,      making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me      and angrily hunt me down. 4  My heart pounds in my chest.      The terror of death assaults me. 5  Fear and trembling overwhelm me,      and I can’t stop shaking. 6  Oh, that I had wings like a dove;      then I would fly away and rest! 7  I would fly far away      to the quiet of the wilderness. 18  He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me. Verse 3 jumped out at my with a bit of a MEF (mind’s eye flash) – S...