Welcome March!

 Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus, choosing to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. I thank You that because I abide in You, I rest under the shadow of the Almighty. You are my true and reliable refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust. You cover me with Your feathers and provide refuge under Your wings. I am not a person who belongs to this world having a worldly mindset that depends on charms or omens to protect me; it is Your faithfulness alone that are my shield and my armor; protecting me from fear and doubt. Thank You for giving me angel protection to guard me in all my ways. Thank You for empowering me so I don’t stumble and I can trample on the traps of the enemy and walk victoriously in this dangerous world and environment. I can walk confidently through my day and life because You love me; Your love is eternal and all-encompassing; I need not fear the terrors of the night or Satan’s arrows that fly by day. I need not tremble because of a date on the calendar. Thank You for Your promise to deliver me from evil and satisfy me with a long life. Thank You for holding fast in love. I will honor You with my life and my heart. Amen

Inspiration or Today’s Tea Cup Prayer

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust,” For he will deliver me from the snare of the fowler—and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler—Psalm 91:1-4

Because You have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways—Psalm 91:9-11

 Good morning my dear Lord and restoring God! You are truly my Redeemer! Today I am reminded that no matter what I have lost You are the God who can restore to me lost and wasted years, lost and wasted opportunities. No experience is beyond Your repair, and no time is beyond recovering when I place it in Your hands. I do not have to sit in regret or languish in disappointment; there is no need for me to lose sleep, beat myself up, or believe life is over and not worth pressing through trials and troubles and lack; I can remember and be encouraged through Your promises that You are the God of turnaround, and I am grateful and thankful that You can turn what I’ve lost around. You can give me back my health, You can restore relationships, You can make my finances prosper, You can bring new opportunities in front of me, You can take what’s been broken and make it whole. In Your hands the unfruitful can bear much fruit! The Word of God says You can turn my shame into glory and defeats into victories. Thank You for promising to give me beauty in exchange for ashes and honor from past pain and strife. I can lose one thing, but You can restore double to me!  When You restore what’s been lost, O Lord, I am rewarded, blessed and aware that I walk in favor. I will not live defeated and depressed, but I will live full of hope, joy, and potential! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Inspiration or Today’s Teacup Prayer:

I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, my great army which I sent among you—Joel 2:25 

After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before…The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys—Job 42:10, 12

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble—Psalm 90:14-15

 Lord, there are times when I must eat in haste, without the opportunity to sit leisurely and savor my meal, or times when I must rise immediately after the last bite. When that happens not long after I've eaten my stomach starts growling as though I have not eaten at all. Quick, grab-and-go meals have become a common feature of our busy lives—items easily held in the hand or consumed while occupied with other tasks are in high demand. I confess that, at times I treat Your Word in much the same way. On certain days, I have little time to devote to Scripture, so I glance at it quickly before closing it. That's okay for some days but I shouldn't make a habit of it. Today, I sense Your call to linger over Your promises. I feel the Spirit’s whisper urging me not to consume my spiritual nourishment as I would a fast-food burger between meetings or on my way somewhere. When I hastily take in the promises You have given, or the passages to which You have led me, my heart and mind have no time to truly digest the profound words You have prophesied over my life. Grant me the discipline to slow down and dwell in Your Word, that I might grasp its full meaning and experience the richness it holds. I long to understand Your plans for me and to know Your thoughts toward me. I desire that Your word be planted so deeply within my heart that it cannot be shaken. Your Word holds the power to transform my thoughts and shape my approach to life; it makes me wiser and stronger. I seek to receive all the spiritual nourishment it offers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.        

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer

O taste and see that the Lord is good—Psalm 34:8

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty—John 6:35

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow up in your salvation—I Peter 2:2

  Heavenly Father, teapots are inanimate objects but there’s a lot I can learn about the care of self and soul as I care for my teapot. For example, Lord, I’ve learned the best way to care for my teapot is to rinse it with warm water (no soap) and let it air dry. Periodically I should use a damp cloth dipped in a little baking soda and rub it down on the inside to keep those bitter tannins from building up and leaving an aftertaste that spoils the flavor of the tea. A lump of sugar absorbs moisture and keeps the inside of my teapot smelling sweet. It’s no surprise Lord, that You’ve provided many ways I can care for myself outside and inside. Daily bathing and moisturizing my skin will keep it supple and soft as I age and attending to my soul and heart daily can keep those spiritual tannins from making me bitter. Thank You for prayer. Daily conversations with You, time in Your word both alone and in study groups can keep my heart in check and free of the bitterness that can easily set itself up in me, especially after I have been wounded or hurt in my relationships and disappointed by life. Just like that baking soda will wash away sediment in my teapot, communing at Your altar and receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus my Savior will cleanse my heart and keep my soul from the sediment of sin that destroys the beautiful being You fashioned me to be. Thank You for Your powerful, creative, life-giving, ministering Holy Spirit. As He lives in me, He makes my heart His temple and begins sowing His beautiful fruit into my being. Just like that lump of sugar keeps my teapot smelling sweet, the Holy Spirit and His spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, make me a sweet aroma to You and to others also. Everything you do in and through and with me, Lord, blesses me, blesses others, and glorifies You! In Jesus’ name. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, brawling, and slander be put away from you, along with malice—Ephesians 4:31

Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one can share its joy—Proverbs 14:10    

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many—Hebrews 12:15

 Heavenly Father, sometimes after reaching goals I’ve set, experiencing big accomplishments, or having had an especially grueling week that I got through despite the challenges it held, I reward and treat myself: shopping for that brand new outfit I’ve had my eye on, an outing I’ll enjoy, my favorite dessert or treat(yum!), lunch with close friends, a morning at the salon enjoying some much needed self-care… Thank You for the many ways I can reward myself that don’t cause feelings of guilt or shame. They may be small things and to some not very spiritual, but You do not deny me them or judge me for enjoying them. Not everything is sinful or forbidden; You have given us this earth and the things it holds for our enjoyment. When we enjoy our life it pleases, glorifies and honors You. We know where all our blessings come, the One who shapes and sends them: they come from God of heaven and earth who loves, cares and provides for us. Because You created everything good, we can appreciate and find joy. When we enjoy good food, beautiful landscapes, or the laughter of friends, we are reminded to express gratitude to You for the blessings You have given us. In Jesus’ name We pray. Amen  

Inspiration for Today’s Teacup Prayer:

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good—Genesis 1:31

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving—I Timothy 4:4  

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it—Psalm 118:24          

 Heavenly Father, a well-made tea kettle—unlike the fragile teapot that’s more for holding the brewed tea and pouring from the table—can withstand the heat and high temps. When the burner is turned up or the flames start beneath it, it’s not yelling to be removed or taken off; no, it’s ready and willing to withstand the heat! It knows the heat is part of the process of producing a delicious, flavorful, savory tea that’s pleasant to the tastebuds. That’s just like me, Lord! Isn’t that how You fashioned me? How You’ve helped me become more like that sturdy kettle that can take the heat without panicking or cracking? Through every trial You have sent or allowed into my life I’ve become more and more like that tea kettle; less and less fragile. I’m more than something attractive on the outside but lacking depth, staying-power or ability to withstand trials. Because I have learned under the ministry of Your Holy Spirit, to endure hardship, persevere through disappointments, and be resilient after the fires of life, I do not bow down or stop pressing just because my arch enemy starts whispering lies, trying to convince me I can’t take the heat or that I’m going to crack under the pressure! Instead, I heed and believe Your voice of counsel that reminds me I can do this! I’m just fine! I can stand and stand some more! I can wait on and in You! I will be victorious when all [this] is over! I’m proud to be one of Your teakettles, Lord! I may be Your beautiful, beloved child, but I’m not fragile; I can take the heat! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer:

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze—Isaiah 43:2

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

These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise , glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed—I Peter 1:7 

 Lord, God, I pray for my home today, my dwelling. My home is more than brick and mortar, wood and frame. It’s filled with the things I have carefully chosen, but it’s more than material things; it’s more than the walls that divide the spaces creating the living areas that serve a purpose. It’s more than the place that contains my (our) worldly belongings and shields me (us) from the elements. It’s more than the floors, ceilings and windows, it’s more than a house, it’s my (our) home, the place I (we) eat, sleep, relax, work, entertain others, laugh, and share. It is my (our) shelter from the storms of life and the place I (we) pray and commune with You day-in-and-day-out; Your Spirit dwells her with me (us) also. I pray, protect my (our) home from negative, wicked, spiritual presence that like to invade and take over. Protect it from natural disasters like storms and floods, fires and strong winds and earthquakes that could shake it from its firm foundation. Protect it from vandals and pestilence. Protect it from deed theft, the deceitful scam artist, and foreclosure. I pray, don’t let the high cost of living keep me from providing necessary care and upkeep my (our) home needs so it is well-maintained. I don’t worship my (our) home, Lord, but I am grateful for it and all the joys, shared experiences, and memories I (we) have made here. Grant me strength of body, soul, and mind to care for it well. Bless my (our) home, Lord and fill it continually with Your sweet Spirit. Let the gits of wisdom, understanding,  forgiveness, life, health and peace rule the atmosphere. Let my (our) home continue to be a sweet gathering spot for all and may all who enter feel the love and warmth that has been poured into it. In Jesus’ name. Amen    

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.  Psalm 127:1

By wisdom, a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge its rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches—Proverbs 24:3-4      

Heavenly Father, You led the prophet Elijah to a high mountain to sit with You in quiet reflection. Elijah had lots of questions and yes, some doubts too, Lord! He expected to see You show up in a dramatic way: He looked for You in the strong wind, in an earthquake, and in the fire, but You surprised Him and showed up in a quiet, gentle voice. That taught Elijah a lesson. Lord, You impressed upon Elijah—as You do all of us that You don’t always show up the way we think You should or expect You too. You’re like that song made famous by Frank Sinatra, “You do it Your Way! Thank You for the different perspective You give me as I survey the challenges and troubles and problem areas of my life. Thank You for letting me know my idea of a solution is not always the best and You have a way in mind that will cause things to come out even better than I can think, ask or imagine. I pray for a trusting and submitted heart. I pray to be more Spirit-led in my thinking and determinations. I pray for patience as I wait in You, for eyes that see beyond what’s in front of me and beneath the surface, and, more than anything I ask You to carve out for me times in my day and week where I can sit in quietness as Elijah did and hear Your voice speaking to me, guiding me, and counseling me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen    

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer

The LORD said, “Go out. Stand on the mountain in front of me. I am going to pass by.” As the LORD approached, a very powerful wind tore the mountains apart. It broke up the rocks. But the LORD wasn’t in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake. But the LORD wasn’t in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire came. But the LORD wasn’t in the fire. And after the fire there was only a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his coat over his face. He went out and stood at the entrance to the cave.—I Kings 19:11-13

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or think, according to His power that is at work within us—Ephesians 3:20   

Heavenly Father, it must be no surprise that some of my best tea times, when the tea (or coffee) tastes especially delightful and flavorful, are when I’m sipping from one of my favorite mugs or cups. They may not be the prettiest in my cabinet, or the best looking in my collection. Some of them have chips here and there, a missing handle, even a hairline crack that doesn’t keep it from holding my sweet brew, but they are my go-to; they still have a place in my pantry or in my collection. Maybe it’s their vulnerability that attracts me most! Maybe there’s a reason for this, Lord: a reminder of how You don’t discard me; how, even with my missing pieces, chips and cracks You still see the good and usefulness in me! Thank You for holding me in Your hand so tenderly after life has banged me up a bit, for steadying me after I’ve acquired a limp or being so understanding of me after a heartbreak and need for restoration and healing. Thank You for loving me, the marred cup in Your hand and filling me with all the good stuff I need from You to not only get through this life but to excel and be fruitful. In Jesus’ sweet name I pray. Amen

Inspiration for Today’s Tea Cup Prayer

But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him—Jeremiah 18:3

But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand—Isaiah 64:8

 I am not consumed…I will be alright…I can stand and be strong…Thank You, God, for Your mighty promises written in the Scriptures that I can personalize and cling to during tough times. A strong word, for when the pressures and trials and troubles and chaos of the world around me—and even in my own environment—hit me hard and fast, when I feel like I’m drowning under a fury of waves—keep me from being consumed. More than 100 times You placed this word of assurance in some form in our Bible; surely You issued this promise for times such as these, Lord. I’m certain of it. I’m not the first human—and I won’t be the last—who needs this reminder when the storms of life come hard and heavy; I won’t be consumed because You are a merciful, compassionate, and loving God. Even with all our disobedience Your mercy is steadfast. These troubles could easily wipe me from the face of the earth. I could easily be swallowed up by the challenges I face…but I won’t be because my God is bigger and more powerful than anything I face: I am strong in Him! More than anything, You, my God, are concerned for my life and my wellbeing, because of Your great love toward me I am not consumed. I am made strong and can endure. Victory is coming. In Jesus’ name. Amen       

Inspiration for Today’s Prayer

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, or his compassions never fail—Lamentations 3:22

This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes—Genesis 31:40

My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times—Psalms 119:20