Category: Entrée

Entrée

We Still Thrive

The Manna Chef

My heart has been aching, and the pain is just unbearable today.  I have literally cried out to God on behalf of all of my brothers and sisters.  It seems as if being Black in this country has placed us on an endangered list.  Every time I turn around, someone is being killed, falsely imprisoned, or brutalized for no other reason than, by the very color of our skin, we are perceived as a threat.  I have cried, “Why in the world are we being killed, Father?  Why is hate running rampant in this world?” 

I am not even going to get super-spiritual right now, because my conversations with God are real and raw.  I know the enemy is trying to steal, kill, and destroy, seeking whom he may devour.  I know that.  I have that Scripture memorized.  But I’m talking about right now today, at this moment; I needed to hear from God. 

I needed a word to settle my spirit, so I started with Psalm 27:1-4.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

I don’t know about you, but I need God’s strength right now at this very moment.  I need some light in this very dark time.  But, even after reading that powerful Scripture, I still needed more.

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Do You Believe that He Will?

The Manna Chef

When I was a little girl, I used to love testimony service at church.  I loved hearing about the goodness of the Lord and singing with the congregation.  I remember the saints would say, “God can do anything but fail!” and everyone would shout, “Amen!”  I heard it so often that I believed it even back then.  I learned about the vastness of God, and I witnessed miracles right there in church.  I was taught to have faith in God, to trust Him completely, and to expect Him to move mightily when I was just a child. 

I’m grateful for that foundation I received because, today, I need it more than ever.  I’ve walked with Jesus for a long time, and still I sometimes need to be reminded that He can do anything but fail.  I know that He is not slack concerning His promises, and He has proved to me time and time again that nothing in my life has been left to chance.  I know that God is in control at all times, and He is ordering my very steps every single day.

I want to ask you something today.  How many of you believe that Jesus can move on your behalf, you just aren’t sure if you believe that He will?  There is a big difference.  I encourage you to examine yourself today.  Take a close look at where your faith lies.  If you are believing God for big things, you have to trust that He will actually do them—according to His will.  So, seek His will (and His kingdom) first and watch Him show out on your behalf.  Now, I’m not talking about snapping your fingers and expecting God to perform like your personal genie.  I’m talking about actually seeking His will for your life, obeying what He has commanded you to do, and then walking in total confidence that God will do what He said.

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It’s Not Too Late

The Manna Chef

Sisters, I have a word to encourage your hearts today!  I have been diligently seeking the Lord on behalf of His daughters, and today His word to me has sparked fire in my soul!  God said, “It’s not too late.”  I don’t know what you have placed before the Lord, what promises you are waiting to manifest, or what dreams you’ve allowed to just fall along the wayside.  But God’s word is clear, “it’s not too late.” 

Sometimes we get discouraged when it seems like the season of opportunity has passed us by.  Circumstances may not appear to be ideal, especially right now, but God is not bound by our circumstances or by how things look.  So right now, just hold on to God’s Word and His promises. 

The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.  They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.  It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.  (Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT)

God has not forgotten you.  He has not forgotten the promises He made to you.  He said His word will accomplish all He wants it to accomplish and will prosper everywhere He sends it.  What has He promised to you?  It’s not too late.  Don’t allow the enemy to plant seeds of doubt in your mind.  You know what God said.  Trust Him.  It doesn’t matter if the odds are against you.  He said all things are possible with Him (Matthew 19:26).

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Who Told You That?

The Manna Chef

I recently asked, “Whose steps are you following?” to remind you to be intentional in following the leading of the Holy Spirit.  It’s a great reminder that nothing in our lives happens by chance and that we need to be aware at all times of the effects of our actions.  But today, I want to go even deeper.  If you’ve ever had to deal with negative thoughts, then this message is for you.

I remember many years ago reading about “negative self-talk.”  At the time, I was teaching middle schoolers, and it was a message that was near and dear to my heart.  I firmly believed (and I still do) that speaking words of life into our young people is vital to their development.  But it doesn’t stop there.  We need those same words of life.  And we need to speak them constantly.  (You have power of life and death right in your own mouth, according to Proverbs 18:21.)

This pandemic has altered our daily lives.  Many of us are working from home.  Others may not be working at all, while some are working nonstop as essential staff.  Don’t believe for a second that the enemy is not waiting by to speak all kinds of lies to you.  He wants to plant ideas of hopelessness and despair.  He wants you to be paralyzed from fear and for you to succumb to the pressure that is all around you.  He wants you to be depressed from being constantly inundated with bad news and frightening statistics.  Sisters, he wants desperately to defeat you.  Remember, he has three jobs: to steal, to kill, and to destroy, so you have to be prepared to defeat him. 

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Whose Steps Are You Following?

The Manna Chef

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:13)

God promised to lead and guide us each day.  That’s why He sent the Holy Spirit; it’s one of His functions.  When we encounter darkness, the Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway.  The Word shows us the way to go, and Jesus is the Light of the world.  When we are surrounded by darkness, we need only keep focused on Jesus to lead us in the way we should go.  And we bring delight to God as we walk in the steps that He provides.  He delights in His way because His way is the right way.  His way is a reflection of His righteousness.

We have been taught that all we need to do is follow Jesus, right?  So then, I wonder at times in the midst of dark, confusing moments in my life, “How can I know God like I do and still end up here?”  You see, I have had many moments in my life when I seemed to go the total opposite of where I should have gone.  Thank God for His infinite grace and mercy!  I have walked with the Lord for a really long time and still manage to fall short daily.  But I have also learned that there is a purpose to everything I have ever experienced—good and bad.  And even in those moments when I decided to take another path, God has always been right there to steer me back on track.  I know God’s hand is upon my life.  He shows me every single day—even when I fall short. 

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