Category: Entrée

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Your Words Matter

The Manna Chef

I know that we are living in challenging times, but I want to encourage you to look at the good in the midst of all of the chaos going on around us. Listen to what God is whispering to you. Is He calling you for more prayer time with Him or more time spent in His Word? Is He encouraging you to spend more quality time with your loved ones? Are you able to get some much-needed rest? Or are you on the front lines showing that God truly takes care of His own while you are demonstrating His love and power to those seeking medical care?

I need to remind you of something today: your words are important. They have power, so be careful how you use them, especially now. You can speak blessings over your life or you can speak curses. Even in the midst of all that is going on right now, you can speak life, Sisters!

Let me give you a practical example. My grandmother (one of the greatest prophets to have ever lived) never allowed us to speak words of poverty. We weren’t allowed to say things like, “I’m broke.” We learned at an early age that our words spoke life and death and that we were responsible for how we used them. Instead of saying those negative words, we learned to call on the Lord to bless us. We learned to speak blessings into our lives–and yes, even into our wallets. It was a profound lesson, and I still remind myself of the power I have in my own mouth to create and manifest results. That shouldn’t really be a surprise though, should it?

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Act Like it

The Manna Chef

We pray and seek direction from God daily.  We read and study His Word, and we truly believe that His Word is true.  And we apply His Word to our lives, right?  Well, God is saying to us that it’s time to really claim His promises and live the way He has called us to live. 

The Holy Spirit recently challenged me to walk in faith concerning something God had said to me.  “If you really believe Me, then act like it.  Don’t allow anything to take your focus away from Me and what I have said concerning you.  You say daily that I have the final say and that I am in control of all things at all times.  Well, if you really believe that is true, then ACT like it.”

I’ll admit, I had to marinate on that. God was reminding me of Who He is to me and who I am to Him and in Him.  Had I really claimed the promises that God has made to me?  If so, what is keeping me from really walking in them?  And then I wondered, “Am I really encouraging the people around me to walk in the promises of God for real?  Am I leading by example?”

God is not slack concerning His promises and He is certainly not a man that He should lie.  If He said it, it’s a done deal.  And then a thought popped into my head to justify my responses:  I’m only human, right?  Well, actually that’s not right.  That’s a copout.  I am human, but I’m not only human.  I carry the Spirit of the Living God on the inside of me.  Favor precedes me daily.  Goodness and mercy are right behind me.  I’m NEVER alone, even though I experience bouts of loneliness sometimes.  I am human, but I am one of God’s chosen vessels.  So, when the enemy feeds me that garbage to make me wallow in self-pity and despair, I just have to tap into the Holy Spirit.  He reminds me that I am more than a conqueror.  I am the head and not the tail.  I am the apple of God’s eye.  God has angels encamped around me daily.  (and I sure do need them!) 

I wish I could just tell the people of God, if God has blessed you, then ACT like it.  If God has healed your body, claim your healing and act like you are healed.  When pain hits your body, don’t ignore it.  Address the pain, do what you need to do, and remind God of His Word concerning you.  Recite healing Scriptures.  Remind God of what He said.  Whatever you have placed before the Lord, seal it with a Scripture.  Ask God that His will be done—and then prepare yourself for it.  And then when He answers, believe it and actually claim it.  Don’t get all hyped (accepting it only on pure emotion) and then forget to allow it to take root in your soul.  Allow that seed to be firmly planted so that your fruit will not only be produced, but that it will remain.  And know this, you will need to be reminded of that Word, trust me on that! 

God had to remind me that I have the authority to speak directly to the storm, to remind the winds that they are subject to Him.  And I am a vessel for His use.  I need to act like it. 

We, the people of God, have forgotten who we are.  We are walking around as if we have no authority. 

God has done so much in our lives, but for some reason we have forgotten that too.  The Bible says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”   I think we need to do a better job of that.

We can no longer allow the enemy any room to wreak havoc in our minds, our homes, our marriages, or our jobs.  None of that!  We know what God said.  Now we have to act like it.  We have to stand firmly on God’s Word like we know that we know it’s the truth.  If we really believe Him, I mean REALLY believe that God is Who He says He is and that we belong to Him, then it’s time to act like it.

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The Way You Move

The Manna Chef

Sisters, today I want you to tune in to your body’s natural rhythm—and not the one that kicks into high gear when you hear your favorite song.  I’m talking about that inner voice that directs your steps at the actual pace that comes naturally to you. You’re going to have to be very intentional in your listening, too.  You see, we tend to wear ourselves out when we are not listening to what our bodies really need (the Presence of God, love, acceptance, rest, inspiration, nutrition, peace, reassurance, exercise, etc.).  As women, we are wired to do many things well, and we tend to do them at a break-neck pace.  But it’s not wise to constantly overload yourself.  There is value to slowing down.  Take your time, Sister!

Stop for a moment.  Breathe.  Listen.  Your spirit will lead you.  And for you deep sisters, I’m not talking about being moved by your flesh and yielding in directions that you know are contrary to where God is leading you (and to what His Word says).  I’m talking about following your spirit because it desires to be intimately connected to your Father.  Jesus said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)   Your spirit knows how to line up with the Father even when your flesh wants to do its own thing, including causing you to take on more than what you were called to do.  When you choose to listen to God’s voice, your spirit will lead you in right direction. 

So, sisters, quit being so hard on yourself when you feel like you missed the mark.  Who set the bar—you or God?  We have a tendency to push ourselves before we even ask the Lord for guidance.  Then, when we are exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated, we turn to Jesus for help.  And He is so gracious that He picks us up and restores, replenishes, and revives us, even when we have not listened to Him at all.  The Lord is right there waiting for us to turn our hearts back to Him. 

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True Love

The Manna Chef

Do you know that God loves you, really loves you?  Sisters, He loves you so much—so much more than you could ever even imagine. 

We use the word “love” all the time.  We love our favorite TV show.  We love our favorite purses and our favorite pair of shoes.  We love our favorite foods and desserts.  We love Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  We love songs, books, and all kinds of other things.  I know people who have even loved just the feeling of being “in love.” 

You see, we use the word love a whole lot, sometimes haphazardly.  Unfortunately, that may cause us to lose sight of what love really means and how powerful love really is.  We may not fully grasp the reality that God truly does love us.  And oh, He loves His precious daughters!

And I’m not just talking about His love for His people or His love for “the Church.”  I’m talking about His love for you—specifically.  You!  God truly loves (insert your name here)! Sisters, God really loves you.  He even gave His own Son for (insert your name here). 

He knows everything there is to know about you.  He designed you with such care that He even knows how many hair follicles are on your head!  He has left nothing to chance concerning your life.  Nothing!  Nothing about you is coincidental.  He put a great deal of thought into your life!

His love for you is unconditional, and it won’t change, no matter what!  Even when we change up on Him, His love for us will never change.  It’s true that sin brings separation in our relationship with God, but even in our darkest moments, God is right there—still loving us all the way through those moments.  You can never go so far away that God cannot reach you.

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A Very Different Road

The Manna Chef

Sometimes, in moments of deep reflection, I look at the twists and turns my life has taken.  I’ll admit, I don’t understand why certain things have happened and I won’t be so super spiritual and pretend that I have welcomed everything that has occurred.  I have had many days when I wondered, “How can I know God like I do and still end up here?”  And other times, I have asked the Lord, “Why have You allowed this to happen to me (or to those who I love dearly)?”  I know that God is Omniscient, and I really do trust Him, but my mind cannot completely process everything that happens all the time. 

But I can tell you that I firmly believe Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  I know that what I have experienced throughout my life has made me a more compassionate person, I’ve gained wisdom well beyond my years, and hopefully it has made me a better woman of God (including wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend).

I can honestly say that I love God more now than ever.  I remember, as a little girl, hearing a song, “I Love Jesus More Than I Did Yesterday.”  I used to love the song, and now that I’m older, I realize it rings true for me.  And I’m grateful to know that God loves me too, because the enemy is always close by trying to tell me the opposite.

You see, the last few years tossed me a few curve balls that I wasn’t completely prepared for.  I found myself crying out to God from the very depths of my soul.  Sometimes, I have seen the spiritual storms before they arrive, but every now and then, I experience a “pop-up storm.” 

I began to wonder, “Is this what I am supposed to be doing with my life right now?”  I seek God daily for direction, so it’s a sincere question because I want to be sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit.  But let’s be real, we have all imagined where are lives will be in 5, 10, 20 years.  (I’m grateful that God’s ways are not my ways because who knows where I’d be, even with the best intentions.)  I took a long look at my life and it left me with one word:  Grateful. 

I’m grateful for it all: the good, the bad, and the very ugly.  It’s all part of God’s plan.  And the windy road to get where I am today is by design.  Don’t believe me?  Well, check this out: 

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” (Exodus 13:17-18)

Notice that God didn’t lead them along the shortest route—the easiest route—to the Promised Land.  Look at your life.  You probably haven’t experienced the shortest route either.  God knows that adversity may cause us to waiver, and we may be tempted to turn back and miss the blessings and opportunities that God has waiting for us.  That same adversity can actually build you and propel you forward into your destiny if you remain faithful to God.  But let’s be honest; sometimes we wish for that easy route though, don’t we?

God knew His people then, and He knows His people now.  He even knows that His very own Manna Chef would not have benefited from the easier route.  She may not have had the testimony that she has that can reach the soul of others, even those who are not believers.  And, my dear sisters, He knows you, too.  Your life may be very different from what you thought it would be, but know that God is refining and pruning you each day.  You are His masterpiece, so you can’t go the route that “everyone” else is going.  But the road God made for you was built with purpose.  Trust Him, and follow His lead.