Author: The Manna Chef

Entrée

Just Let Go

The Manna Chef

Sisters, I want to remind you that when God has delivered you from something, walk in your deliverance completely.  Don’t give the enemy any room to tempt, torment, or defeat you.  You have access to the Holy Spirit for a reason, so use the authority that God has given you to walk in freedom. 

Psalm 34:19 reminds us that “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”  Not from some of them, all of them.  You will encounter tests and trials, but God promised to deliver you from them all.  So, walk in your deliverance, Sister, knowing that your Heavenly Father has empowered you to overcome those pitfalls that the enemy designed for you. 

You know what?  Sometimes we do the enemy’s work for him by voluntarily picking up the very things the Lord has delivered us from.  We forget that we have the power to overcome.  The Bible says that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).   Sister, you are more than a conqueror!  Use your authority.  We play around with temptations, continually asking for forgiveness when those temptations lead us in the direction of choosing to sin.  (Temptation itself is not sin; yielding to temptation causes us to sin.)   But the Word is clear, telling us to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)   Don’t voluntarily walk in bondage.  God freed you.  Believe it and receive your deliverance.

I was recently thinking about some yokes that get us caught up.  Anybody ever been wrapped up in the yoke of unforgiveness?   You may have suffered greatly; no one is asking you to pretend that you have not experienced wrongdoing.  Give that pain over to the Lord so you can walk in freedom.  Let Him carry that load.  Carrying unforgiveness is detrimental to your body and your soul.  God can handle all of it.  Just let it go.

Pages: 1 2
Entrée

A Good Laugh

The Manna Chef

When was the last time you laughed until tears streamed down your cheeks?  I’m talking about that laugh that comes from deep down inside your belly—you know, the one that can sometimes leave you with a cramp in your side?  When was the last time you had one of those?  Or when the laughter erupts inside you, and not only are you unable to contain it, you don’t even want to?  When was the last time you experienced that laugh?

I know there are all kinds of reasons to cry right now from the frustrations in our lives.  We are painfully aware of that.  But today, I want to challenge you to release the negativity and find something to laugh about; find the humor in a situation that is far from humorous. 

Why would I ask you to do something that may sound completely ridiculous?  Well, Ecclesiastes  3:4 tells us, there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh.”  We’ve spent enough time in tears, haven’t we?  So, let’s take some time to laugh.  We don’t have to be so serious all of the time.  Give yourself a break today.  Laugh.  Relax.  Smile.  And then laugh again.  Allow yourself to feel joy throughout the day! 

Pages: 1 2
Entrée

Will You Rejoice?

The Manna Chef

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

“This” day—the one we are experiencing right now—is full of the blessings and manifested promises of God.  Sure, there are challenges, but God is right there with us in the midst of them.  We spend a lot of time in the past or worrying about the future.

Stop looking back at yesterday and wasting energy over things you cannot change.  You can’t live your life looking in the rear view mirror.  Quit stressing over the uncertainty of tomorrow.  God made this day—TODAY—so appreciate it.  Notice the beauty in this day.  There is an anointing for this day.  Choose to rejoice; your will is involved.  And that’s where we have to see our responsibility in how we respond to each day. 

Our will expresses our desire, our consent, our capability, our determination, and our persistence.  (There’s no doubt that I am going to do it because “will” is used, not “might.”)  My will indicates my determination to do something and includes my passion for seeing it through.  It demonstrates my power to choose.

Pages: 1 2 3 4
Entrée

I Know Where My Help Comes From

The Manna Chef

Sisters, I simply want to encourage your hearts today and remind you that not only does God see you, He cares deeply about you.  I woke up hearing the song, “My Help,” (by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir) in my spirit.  I’ve been singing it since all morning.  It’s an incredible reminder of just how much God really does take care of us.  He’s left nothing to chance concerning you.  Do you really know that?  He is taking care of you every moment of every single day.   I sometimes can’t wrap my head around that.  There are almost 8 billion people in this world right now, and God makes it a point to check on me all day long?  That’s so amazing!  Who wouldn’t serve a God like that?  He is right there with you throughout each day, no matter how it seems in those dark moments.  Whenever you find yourself wondering how you are going to make it in these perilous times, I want you to read Psalm 121(NKJV):

1I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Pages: 1 2
Entrée

Are You a Conduit or Reservoir?

The Manna Chef

Merriam-Webster defines a conduit as a natural or artificial channel through which something is conveyed (transferred or delivered) and a reservoir as a place where something is kept in store (placed and left).  I want to you examine yourself spiritually and emotionally today. 

Which are you, Sister, a conduit or a reservoir? 

A conduit listens, prays, supports, encourages, and may even offer guidance.  And then she hands the matter over to the Lord, trusting that He can handle it.   She’s not a super-saint.  She doesn’t wear a superhero cape and “fly” around solving the world’s problems.  But she is in constant communication with the Holy Spirit, and she can pray down the heavens!  That’s how she reaches Jesus.  It’s also why people are naturally drawn to her; they know she is connected to the Father.  But that can be a blessing and a curse if she is not operating as a conduit. 

Sister, no one is asking you to carry the spiritual load of those around you.  You cannot store up hurt and burdens in your heart.  It’s not healthy, and it certainly is not productive.  First of all, you are not designed to carry loads.  You are not a beast of burden, so carrying heavy loads does nothing but weigh you down and prevent you from obtaining the promises of God.  Psalm 55:22(NIV) says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”  Cast your cares upon the Lord.  In other words, give those cares to God, and trust that He will move on your behalf.  Release them and hand them over, completely.  And then know that God will sustain you; you will not succumb to the pressure around you.  Unfortunately, some of the people of God haven’t learned to do that yet.  And when you refuse to hand the load over to God, you become a reservoir. 

Pages: 1 2