Author: The Manna Chef

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Jehovah Jireh

The Manna Chef

Sisters, today I want to remind you that our God really is Jehovah Jireh—He will provide.  I want you to really meditate on that today, because God always takes care of His children.  And He gives us His best. 

Think about how God showed up for Abraham.  Remember that God provided a ram in the bush to take the sacrificial place of Isaac, right?  (Read Genesis 22:1-14 when you have some time.)  Well, today I decided to take a closer look at the timing of God as He allowed that ram to show up.  Abraham had already built the altar and had laid the wood in order.  Then he bound Isaac on the altar on top of the wood, reached out his hand, and took the knife, fully prepared to slaughter his son as a sacrifice to God, yet having faith that he and Isaac would both return from the mountain (see verse 5).

Did you notice that Abraham did all of the work to prepare Isaac to be sacrificed before God showed up with the ram?  I mean, have you ever wondered why Abraham didn’t see the ram before he even laid Isaac on the wood?   And did you happen to notice that Abraham obeyed God rather than ask Him why he’d been told to sacrifice his son in the first place?  Abraham followed the instructions, even to the point of grabbing the knife, and still believed that God would show up.  And of course, God did just that! 

So, Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.”  And it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be seen and provided.” (Genesis 22:14 AMP)

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God’s Got the Details

The Manna Chef

Have you ever had a need that seemed so great that you honestly didn’t know how it was going to be met?  I’m talking about an obligation that goes far beyond what you have—tangibly.  Well, I found myself right in the middle of one of those days—trying to wrap my head around a million details to figure everything out.  I had made so many lists, determined be responsible in managing everything while trying to be a good steward.  The task was becoming quite a challenge too, even for someone who loves to deal with the details.  I became restless and agitated, and then the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “Remember, I have already taken care of every detail for you.  There is no need for you to spend your energy on figuring anything out, and there is no need to panic.  Just trust Me.” 

I am detail-oriented, so it is quite natural for me to focus on the small things.  But I will admit, this time I was drowning in those details.  I was feeling overwhelmed instead of excited by the move of God.  But after the Holy Spirit spoke, a calm came over me instantly.  I allowed myself to be very still and meditate on His actual words.  Did you get that?  I allowed myself a moment to be still.  My will was involved.  I could choose to believe the word of the Lord, or I could try to make things happen on my own.  I chose the former.  I didn’t fire back at the Holy Spirit with a million questions.  I didn’t ignore what He said, determined to do it in my own power.  I didn’t continue to try to figure it all out.  I didn’t doubt Him.  Instead, I believed that He would move on my behalf simply because He said that He would.  And He promised that He had taken care of every detail.

I thanked God for moving just for me, and I let go of what was becoming cumbersome.  Just like that, I decided to let go.  It wasn’t even difficult.  I was glad to cast that weight aside.  I turned on some praise music and went on with my day. 

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He Knows Me (And Still Loves Me)

The Manna Chef

Today in my quiet time, the Lord sent me to Psalm 139:16, “You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”  I’ve read that verse many times (and have heard it) throughout my life, but today God encouraged me to take a closer look. 

Sisters, God reminded me that nothing in my life has ever taken Him by surprise, not my bad decisions, many missteps, heartbreak, sickness, trials, storms…none of it.  He has always known every single detail in my life.  He has taken all of it into account, and He still loves me, no matter what.  (He loves you too, Sister!)

Sometimes the enemy tries to bring up things from my past to torment me, and let me be clear:  he has a lot of material to bring up!  But you know what?  I’m covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.  I’m not defined by any mistake that I’ve made.  I am who God says I am, not what others think or say about me.  Not only does God know me, He chose me.  So, when the enemy tries to bombard me with foolishness, I recite out loud the Word of God.  I know that my Father loves me, and when I rest in His love, nothing else matters anyway.  In His Presence, I just experience the fullness of joy.  I am learning how to press my way into His Presence right in the middle of moments of despair.  It’s not easy, Sister, because my will is involved.  That means I sometimes have to “will” myself into His Presence, even when I may not feel like it.  I’m learning to just keep my eyes on Him, and when I do, God showers His love upon me all over again.

Do you know that some people are quite comfortable being down and out?  And I’m not talking about anyone battling depression; that is another matter entirely.  If you need to find a safe space for you to release, receive support, or be healed and set free, I encourage you to reach out for help to get whatever support you need.   You are worth it, Sister!  God has allowed many resources to meet the needs of His people, whether it’s counseling, a prayer partner, a support group, or even a community of believers.  God has whatever you need!  Sadly, there are sisters who seek out dysfunction because it’s what they know.  It’s not good, but it’s familiar.  It’s not what they even desire, but they’ve learned how to survive in the midst of chaos.  Well, guess what?  You were not created to just survive; you were created to thrive.  (God wrote that in His book too!)

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Choose Your Words Carefully (Watch Your Mouth!)

The Manna Chef

You know what?  I don’t think we realize sometimes just how much we can influence those around us.  What we say is important and so are our actions.  Sister, you have the ability to change the environment around you, probably more than you think.  This thing is, that works both ways.  You can bring life and progress or you can bring death and chaos:  all from what comes from your mouth.  We know that “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV)  But today, I want to share with you a moment when a woman’s very words changed the course of the exodus of the children of Israel.  (Her words affected everyone.)

In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron began to criticize Moses because he married a Cushite (Ethiopian) woman.  (Have you made a choice that others didn’t approve?)  They began to grumble, asking “Does God only speak to Moses?  Hasn’t He spoken through us, too?”  In other words, “He’s not the only one God speaks to.  God speaks to us, too.  Moses isn’t so special.”  First of all, be careful when you even begin to have thoughts about criticizing God’s people!  (As my mother would say, “Keep your mouth off of them!”)   And don’t compare your ability/anointing/gifts to anyone else.  God will use whomever He chooses to use in the capacity in which He chooses to use them.  Who are we to complain or criticize?  And instead of just criticizing others’ choices, we should spend a little more time praying for God’s people, His protection, His wisdom, and ultimately, His will.

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Dream Again

The Manna Chef

Sisters, I need to ask you a few questions today.  Some of you may ask these questions to yourselves a lot, and others, maybe not so much.  But it’s weighing heavily on me today, so I have to ask.  What is your life’s dream?  What are the things that your heart longs for when you spend time with the Father?  What burns in your soul when you think about your purpose?  What makes your heart sing with joy? 

I want you to make your way to that creative space right now, you hear me?  Get to that space as quickly as you can, and breathe in the Spirit of the Living God so that you can truly dream again.  It’s time, Sister.  We need what you have!

You know, life has a way of causing us to imagine less and become discouraged and jaded more. We spend less time dreaming and more time worrying.  Trials and tribulations weigh us down, and we begin to settle for less than who we really are.  But guess what?  You were created in God’s own image and likeness (Genesis 1:27), and He placed the ability to create on the inside of you.  So, again, Sister, I ask, “What is your life’s dream?”

You were designed with purpose, and your life matters to God.  We, the body of Christ, are awaiting your arrival.  We need what only you can give!  I know that circumstances sometimes wear you down.  The raging of the storms of life can be deafening, but please take a moment to bask in the Presence of your Father so that He can renew and refresh you today.  You are more than your biggest challenge.  And what you carry is so much greater than any failure you have experienced.  Sister, we need you!

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