Gra-TEA-tude---how BIG is your cuppa?

 Give thanks to Lord Jehovah, because he is good, and his grace is for eternity. (Psalms 107:1, Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

I don't think any devotional book speaks more to my heart about trust and thankfulness than Sarah Young's, Jesus Calling.

It is a rare person who, when his cup frequently runs over, can thank God instead of complaining about the limited size of his mug! —Bob Russell, retired pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.

I am grateful to brother Buddy and Charlotte for introducing me to Bob Cherry, who inspires me to add lots of sweet gra-TEA-tude to my BIGGEST cuppa.

"eterni-TEA" : a Re-brew

 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13, NIV)

How does one "stamp eternity on my eyeballs" as Jonathan Edwards was purported to have asked the Lord?

Start your morning with a verse of eternal significance to accompany your cuppa eterni-TEA!

commonali-TEA

The Lord is your keeper; .....The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5, 7-8, ESV)

A commonali-TEA often shared by parents and grandparents is desiring God's best for their offspring, which they hope includes their longevity as well. But, too often, fears of the "what if" can creep in and rob them of their peace. 

Last week's large powerful waves at the beach and the accompanying rip tide had me on a constant "fearful alert." Knowing I had prayed for safety did not provide the unwavering confidence that "all would be fine." 

My heart's desire was that the Lord, who is my Keeper and my Protector, would keep us all safe. I certainly prayed for safety and had other prayer warriors praying as well. But God...keeps us. Safety, as being vigilant, was in my hands, both prayerfully and physically. But security was in God's hands. 

Regardless of circumstances, (even those that appear life-threatening)...He is our keeper for eternity. The crux of keeping is in soul keeping. 

"If our soul is kept, all is kept." (C. H.Spurgeon)

A cuppa fearful commonali-TEA needs to be exchanged for a cuppa securi-TEA, which only the Lord can provide.

"eterni-TEA"

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:23-25, ESV) 

My NIV Bible division for Romans 8:18-30 is labeled "Expectant Living." A title that expresses today's living reflecting one's hope for eternity. A reminder to live well because of that eternal promise.

“Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs.” (Jonathan Edwards) Edwards quote sums it up. Such a focus transforms our perspective. Sufferings of today are not worthy of comparing to the glory that awaits us---eternal security with Christ. 

Edwards, with a little chutpzpah for a theologian in 1730s,  adds; 

"Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.” (Jonathan Edwards)

I like Edwards "eternal" perspective---I'll drink to that---a cuppa "eterni-TEA."

"tea" blends

1) O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
 ; (humili-TEA)

Nor do I involve myself in great matters,


Or in things too difficult for me. (teachabili-TEA)

2) Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; (sereni-TEA)
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
 (tranquili-TEA)

My soul is like a weaned child within me. (gra-TEA-tude)

3) O Israel, hope in the Lord  (sweetness of Hope in Him) 

From this time forth and forever. (eterni-TEA) (Psalm 131)

 

Sometimes I desire a stronger morning cuppa. Sometimes I need one. Sometimes a longer steeping time helps, but that's tricky because bitterness can be the result. Usually I just defer to master tea blenders and use one of theirs----blends from all the best tea growing regions. This morning I found a psalm that seemed to blend the best "teas" for my morning cuppa.

Psalm 131 is one of the shortest of the Psalms, "but one of the longest to learn" as C. H. Spurgeon says. (Treasury of David, vol. 6, p. 136)

Yet, those 3 verses can provide beneficial blends to my life's cuppa. Humili-TEA. Teachabili-TEA. Sereni-TEA. Tranquili-TEA. Gra-TEA-tude. All blended and sweetened with hope for eterni-TEA)
.

Again, Spurgeon says it well, "Lowliness and humility are here seen in connection with a sanctified heart, a will subdued to the mind of God, and a hope looking to the Lord alone." (Spurgeon, p. 136)

What a sweet "tea blend" to sip and savor as I ponder Psalm 131 throughout my day.

TEA WITH THEE.....

3/6/12….in Psalm ninety. (nine-TEA) Nothing much better than a morning with the psalms and a cuppa---both tend to soothe the soul.

Psalm 90 is where I found myself as I am trying to “steep” myself in the Psalms this year. Reading through it the first time, the “tea” elements jumped off the page. There was much to “sip-on”---eterni-TEA, (v.1-2) frail-TEA, (v. 3) gravi-TEA (v.7-8 ) of our iniqui-TEAs, etc.  When I got to brevi-TEA, (v.10-22)I thought what a hard cuppa to swallow for those who don’t know the Lord. Perfect "cuppa" (v.17) is a believer's cup of tea.....favor of the Lord our God, resting upon us and establishing the work of our hands.

Tea with the Lord and my cuppa satisfied.  The simplici-TEA of it all---God’s unfailing love, as shown in His word, satisfies. (Psalm 90:14)

What’s your Christmas morn cup of tea??

12/25/10 This morning during my “Warriors on the Wall” prayer time, I noticed that Pastor Cole asks for prayer for sensitiviTEA, puriTEA and humiliTEA toward the Lord and in ministry and life! 
 Certainly excellent choices for one who shepherds God’s flock.

What’s your cup of tea this Christmas morning? I hope that we all sip from the cup of eterniTEA!

Merry Christmas and God Bless!! (Luke 2:1-20)