Category: Entrée

Entrée

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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Entrée

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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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.

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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! 

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