Author: The Manna Chef

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I Am Who God Says I Am

The Manna Chef

What will it take for us to really believe what God has said concerning our lives?   Think about that today, Sisters, and take a moment to look at what you have chosen to believe about yourself.

The children of Israel watched God move in miraculous fashion right before their eyes.  We know the accounts of how mightily the Lord moved on their behalf.  And yet, like us, they seemed to find themselves back in the state of displeasing God.  In fact, God had to allow them to be conquered over and over again to bring them to a place of humility and obedience.  In Judges Chapter 6, God allowed them to be conquered and ruled by the Midianites for seven years.  And then entered a man named Gideon…

The angel of the Lord sat down under the oak that belonged to Joash, Gideon’s dad, while Gideon was threshing wheat in secret to keep it from the Midianites.  The angel appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor.” (verse 12, NKJV)  The NIV version of the Bible says, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”  The Amplified Bible says, “The Lord is with you, mighty man of fearless courage.”

There was no wavering in the words; they were stated as a fact.  The angel of the Lord gave a statement of identity assigned by God to Gideon.  But Gideon couldn’t fully grasp onto such a powerful description used to refer to him.  He said, “But sir, if God is really with us then why has all this happened to us?”  Anybody ever feel that way?  Chaos is all around you, and you cannot see or even feel God.  We begin to question, “Well, God are you here?  Do you hear my prayers?  Do you even care?” 

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Selah

The Manna Chef

As we prepare to leave 2020 behind and head into a new year, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on all of the blessings that God has sent our way—yes, even in the midst of a global pandemic.  Think about is, Sisters:  we have survived a tumultuous year!  We have managed to adapt in ways that have stretched us beyond what we even knew we were capable of doing.  And we’re still here moving about our days in excellence.  Thank God for that!

As many of you know, I do not complete a list of New Year’s resolutions, and this year will be no different.  Instead of the resolution list, I make a gratitude list of all the blessings I received throughout the year.  Sisters, I encourage you to do the same, especially this year. 

I have heard many people do nothing but complain throughout most of the year.  But for me, I choose to land on grateful.  Yes, I’ve had to adapt and create new ways to be effective in my everyday life, but God has seen me through all of it.  And yes, I’ve had some tears throughout the year, but they don’t even compare to the deep belly laughs I’ve enjoyed.  So I decided, why waste my energy on everything that seemed to go wrong, when I can use that same energy to celebrate the joy that I have experienced?  (Besides, the gratitude list actually brings joy and strength since the joy of the Lord is my strength.)

Do yourself a favor today and start your gratitude list.  God has kept you, and you have made it through 2020.  And He has promised more for you in the upcoming year!  (Well, I just gave you three to start your list!)

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Ain’t No Need to Worry

The Manna Chef

Okay, I know that is a grammatical nightmare, but it was a nice Winans/Anita Baker song, and it is a great reminder for us.  What does worrying even accomplish?  Think about how much energy we waste worrying about things beyond our control.  God addresses that wasted energy in His Word.  The word “worry” is used in this passage six times.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

So why do you worry about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek.  For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV)

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God, Make Me a Threat!

The Manna Chef

It’s time for us to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).  We have taken blows from the enemy long enough! It’s time to fight back.  However, you must have a true relationship with God in order to be able to actually fight in a spiritual battle if you expect to have authority over the enemy.

When you have a moment, check out Acts 19:11-20.  It’s a great cautionary tale of why we need to be connected to God at all times and operate in obedience. The Lord did extraordinary miracles through Paul.  He was a bad brother!  Handkerchiefs and aprons that just touched Paul’s skin were taken to the sick and they recovered, and the evil spirits left them.  Now that’s anointed!  Paul wasn’t even physically present and God performed miracles through him. 

There was a group of Jews who were traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits.  They decided that they would jump on the bandwagon. “We exorcise you by Jesus, that guy Paul talks about.” (Be careful! Operate in what God has called you to do.  Don’t try to hop onto someone else’s anointing.)  Seven sons of a Jewish chief priest named Sceva joined in, but they were operating under no authority.  The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus.  I know Paul, but who are you?” 

With no power, they came up against an evil spirit; therefore, they were not a threat.  Are you such a threat to the enemy that he knows you by name? Those sons were caught up in the actions of the crowd. Don’t be moved simply because it’s the popular thing right now.  Move by the leading of the Spirit of God.  Never go into battle ill-equipped! 

So, what happened?

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Handpicked

The Manna Chef

I have always loved traveling to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  I think it’s absolutely beautiful, especially in the fall.  There’s just something about the vastness of the Smoky Mountains and the leaves changing colors that simply takes my breath away.  I remember one trip when my husband and I took some back roads to get to Gatlinburg and the moment the mountains came into our view.  Sisters, it was like God was talking to me at the very moment, and I was blown away at the beauty of His creation. 

The trip was one of rest and relaxation (and yes, some shopping!), and we went to one of my favorite places: The Apple Barn (Cider Mill & General Store).  I can easily get lost in there!  I bought apple bread, apple tea, and even apple chips, and then I made my way to the apples from the orchard.  Sisters, they were beautiful, too!  I carefully selected the apples I wanted to purchase, and so did my husband.  We handpicked the apples we wanted to buy.  They weren’t just tossed into our bag either.  We placed them carefully inside, and we were happy with our selections.

I didn’t think much about it at the time, but God revealed to me something about that process, the handpicking itself.  You see, there were hundreds of apples to choose from, and there was great variety in the sizes and colors.  I took my time in picking the apples I wanted; I didn’t just throw a few in a bag. 

He reminded me that I, too, was handpicked, but I was handpicked by Him.  And He took great time in forming and equipping me for His purpose and His pleasure. 

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