Category: Entrée

Entrée

Sometimes the Answer is No

The Manna Chef

We think of God as a genie who functions by giving us all that we desire.  We have goals and dreams, and we tell God how we want Him to move in our lives. However, God doesn’t operate that way, and it’s important for us to understand that sometimes the answer to our requests before God is “no.”

Think about times you felt that something was God’s plan for your life, but then it is stopped and God reveals, “That is not My plan.  It’s a great idea, but not My plan for you.”

That’s hard to hear, especially when you really believe the plan is a good one that will benefit the Kingdom of God.

David was a king.  He was a musician, a writer, a psalmist, a praiser, but he was also a man of war. 

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Entrée

Lord, You Want Me To Do THAT?

The Manna Chef

Have you ever experienced a time when the Spirit of God instructed you to do something that you felt was way beyond your capabilities?  If so, you (and I) have a lot in common with a guy named Moses.

God knows who you are.  He knows what you carry on the inside.  His request is no coincidence; it is by design because you can only accomplish supernatural results with His help.  (“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.  Zechariah 4:6)

In Exodus 3, Moses encountered the burning bush; he was being called to duty by the Most High God.  Moses responded just like we do: “Who am I that I should go before pharaoh, and bring them out?  God, do You really know who I am?”

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Do You Really Know Who You Serve?

The Manna Chef

God has been speaking to me about how little His people truly understand how great He is.  Our limited understanding cannot begin to comprehend His majesty, His sovereignty, or His character. 

Isaiah 40:12-31 gives us a glimpse of:

  • God’s power to create
  • God’s provision to sustain
  • God’s continued Presence to help

God spoke the world into existence.  Your words matter, so speak to life to everything around you.  We carry that creative power on the inside of us.  That’s why we have the power to influence the atmosphere.  Use your authority carefully.

God sustains us like no one else can.  He provides the vision and the provision.  He provides the manna to us each day, a right now word for our lives.  And His help is ever-present.  He’s always there; we just need to get into position.

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Entrée

Peace, the Road to Rest

The Manna Chef

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Our theme for today is PEACE.

Peace: a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

The work of righteousness will be peace,

And the effect of righteousness,  quietness and assurance forever.

My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,

In secure dwellings, and in resting places (Isaiah 32:17-18, NKJV)

And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.

My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.  (Isaiah 32:17-18, Amp)

Righteousness leads us to peace and peace leads us to rest.  The place of rest is both spiritual and physical.  You can find yourself in chaotic environments and not be affected because you’ve found your way to the secret place of peace in God.  Psalm 91 reminds us: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  God is our refuge and fortress, our ever-present help in times of trouble.  He is always there.  That is why we can have peace in the midst of our storms, because we know Who is in control at all times.

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Entrée

It’s Bigger Than You

The Manna Chef

Sometimes life can seem so complicated that you feel like you’re in this thing all by yourself.  Everywhere you turn, there is a hurdle to jump.  You ever find it hard to catch your breath because so much is going on? 

There was a time when life seemed so overwhelming that I just wanted to give up; not on living, but in ministry.  I felt like I was becoming stagnant.  I was pouring out so much, but very little was being poured back in.  I didn’t have balance in my life.  I was doing the best I could; but I was on “empty.”  You know what?  People will use you up if you allow them to do it.  I was pretty much exhausted and I was becoming bitter.  And I’m talking about in ministry and in life.  I wanted to throw in the towel; it had become too much. 

But the Holy Spirit was right there in the midst of all of my challenges.  He listened to me vent and then He checked me.  I don’t know about you, but the Holy Spirit doesn’t coddle me.  I don’t have many of those tender, sweet moments when it comes to me basically complaining to God.  He listens and then gets on my case.  I describe it to my friends like He has me in the boxing ring, tearing me up!

The Spirit of God reminded me that although I do have a choice, there is really only one choice to make if I want to receive the promises of God and be who He designed me to be.  I have to be obedient to Him and stay centered in His will.  We have to learn how to position ourselves to receive from God. My life belongs to Him, so I’m here to do His will.  That’s the bottom line for me.

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