Author: The Manna Chef

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Can’t Touch This

The Manna Chef

Sisters, you are not on this planet by chance, and nothing about you is coincidental.  God designed you specifically for His use for such a time as this.  You matter to God; you always have!  He cares so deeply for you and everything that concerns you. 

I want you to take some time to reflect on what God has promised to you—personally.  If you have a moment, actually write some promises down on paper so that you can read them repeatedly.  The Bible is full of promises to us, but we may be unaware for a number of reasons, including (1) we don’t spend time in the Word of God, and (2) we don’t actually believe that God will do what He said He would do for us.  (Father, please have mercy on us!)

Many of us are living beneath our privileges because we voluntarily give them up, and not as the result of some fierce battle.  We give up so easily when things seem rough or when things don’t turn out the way we thought they would.  Sometimes, the enemy fools us into believing that so much time has passed that maybe God is not going to come through for us.  And other times it’s not even the enemy—we simply throw in the towel and quit before the promise manifests. 

Sisters, don’t give up and walk away from your destiny.  What you carry is so important in the Kingdom of God.  We need you!  You are fully equipped for what God has ordained in your life.  You have what you need; you just need to tap into what is already inside of you.  Ask the Lord to show you the strategies you need in this season of your life.  And then do what God requires of you. 

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Creative, Able, and Committed

The Manna Chef

You know those moments when you think about your life, even from childhood?  Well, today, I had that moment.  I was thinking about the start of the school year in second grade (yes, I can remember back that far!), when I was placed in the gifted program, “Creative, Able, and Committed.” 

Of course, back then, I didn’t think much about the title of the program; I just knew it meant I was going to another classroom for math and science.  (And later, I would realize that I had to do twice the classwork!)  However, today, God allowed me to reflect on the actual words: creative, able, and committed.  I am all of those things because He designed me that way.  And then, I began to focus on one word: committed. 

Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV) says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

According to Merriam-Webster, commit means to entrust; to pledge or assign for use; to put in charge.  Establish means to institute permanently; to make firm or stable; to set up; to gain acceptance.  Works are tasks or jobs; achievements; everything possessed, available, or belonging to.

Let’s look back at the Scripture:  Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

In other words, entrust God with everything you are and do, and He will set you up for success because your thoughts are shaped by Him.

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Crucified with Christ

The Manna Chef

This week, the whole world will set aside time to acknowledge the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Churches all over the world will hold special services on Good Friday to revisit “The Last Words of Jesus.” 

On Sunday, some of those same churches will rent out convention centers and arenas to welcome thousands of people who will attend worship services, wearing their Sunday best.  (I can hear my mother say, “Girl, you are sharp as a tack,” or “Boy, you are cleaner than the board of health!”  I sure do miss her.)  Later, after eating a delicious dinner, many families may watch “The Ten Commandments” on television. 

After all, this week is paramount in the lives of believers.  Our entire relationship with God and our salvation are based upon Who Jesus is and the sacrifice He chose to make for us.  We should forever be grateful that He lives, He bled, He died, and He rose with all power for you and me! 

But, after the celebrations are held throughout Holy Week, I wonder, “Will anything really change in our daily lives when the services end?” 

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Spring Forward

The Manna Chef

It’s that time of year when we move the clocks ahead one hour.  I’m sure we all know some people who dread Daylight Saving Time because, in their minds, losing an hour of sleep equates to missing out on something in their lives.  Yes, our sleep patterns will be interrupted for a bit, but we will adjust.  Sisters, I want to offer you a different perspective in this season.

We may be a little sleepy over the next few mornings, because daylight is coming an hour earlier—but that sunshine (SONshine!) will be glorious.  You now get to experience daylight for a longer period of time each day.  Sisters, it’s time to shift in the spiritual as well as in the natural. 

It’s time to shift our thinking and our level of expectation.  Winter is coming to a close, and spring is just ahead.  Spring is a reminder that God is making all things new in our lives. 

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”  (Revelation 21:5 NLT)

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Everlasting Love

The Manna Chef

This morning, I asked God for a word for His daughters, and then I sat still waiting for Him to reply.  After some time, He whispered, “Tell them that I have loved them since before the beginning.”  I allowed those words to settle in my spirit, and I felt peace surround me. 

Sisters, God loves you!  He has always loved you.  I want you to meditate on that today:  God has always loved you!  There has never been a time when He didn’t love you – NEVER!  No matter how you feel right now, no matter how many mistakes and poor choices you have made, your Heavenly Father loves you with an everlasting love.  You didn’t have to do anything to earn His love.  He loved you before you could do anything.  Sisters, I invite you to bask in His love today.

Jeremiah 31:3 says it so beautifully:

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

I know that while some of you are preparing for a Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, others may just be celebrating solo (and some feel no need to celebrate at all).  However you choose to spend the day, know that God loved you before the beginning of time.  That alone is reason to celebrate.  You are loved more than you can even imagine.  Take a moment to appreciate the love that your Heavenly Father has for you.

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