Category: Entrée

Entrée

Something About That Name

The Manna Chef

Today, Sisters, I want you to try something.  Before you make any decisions, ask Jesus to give you clarity and direction, even if you think you have the day figured out.  I know many of you are master planners, already armed with your massive to-do list for the day, but just try it.  As a matter of fact, I want you to call on Jesus all day long.  And yes, I mean that literally.  Call on the name of Jesus all day long.

Before you leave the house, talk to Jesus.  Seal your prayers in the name of Jesus.  Plead the blood of Jesus over your mind, your heart, your family, and your home.  And then ask Him to direct your steps today and follow His lead.

Pages: 1 2 3 4
Entrée

Protecting My Peace

The Manna Chef

You may have heard a Sister say that she is “protecting her peace.”  That comment usually follows some drastic measure that she has taken.  Or maybe it’s a phrase she uses to help her set boundaries (which is necessary in our everyday lives).  “Protecting my peace” is also a popular phrase used in therapy.  But today, Sisters, I want to give you another way to view peace.  Peace is not a weakness or vulnerability that requires your protection.  You don’t need to protect peace.  Peace is protection.  You need to pursue peace.  You should seek peace to help you establish healthy boundaries.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Pages: 1 2 3
Entrée

Surrender…The Heart of Worship

The Manna Chef

Worship is loving God for who He is, not just for what He does for us.  1 John 4:19 reminds us that “we love God because He first loved us.”  God loved us before we were even conceived!  He showed his love for us when He allowed Jesus to come to earth and experience life the way we do.  And then, God sacrificed His Son just for us!  Romans 5:8 says, “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”  God loved us before we even accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior.  Jesus didn’t wait for us to “get life right.”  He loved us so much that He became the most perfect sacrifice. 

How many of you know that love is an action word?  Our worship to our Heavenly Father should actually demonstrate love, and it should be active; at the heart of that worship is surrender.  Surrendering to the Lord’s will should be our response to His amazing love and mercy.

But what does it mean to surrender?  First of all, surrendering means admitting our limitations.  Romans 7:18a says, “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.”  We have to realize that without God we cannot do anything.  We have to relinquish that desire to always be in control.  As a matter of fact, the desire to control is the oldest temptation.  When the serpent deceived Eve, he appealed to her desire to be in control.

Pages: 1 2 3 4
Entrée

His Strength Is Perfect

The Manna Chef

“I have to be strong!”  How many times have you said those words?  We ignore how we really feel for the benefit of those around us.  But is that really beneficial?  Is ignoring your feelings helping you grow or heal?  Probably not.  Society teaches us that we have to always be strong, even to the detriment of our well-being.  And we see that message everywhere, teaching us to bury our feelings and not truly process our emotions.  But Sisters, that does not help you at all.   

I’m going to let you in on a little secret.  You don’t have to be strong.  You already are strong because the God you serve is Omnipotent.  He is all-powerful, and you have access to His strength.  I want you to stop trying to be anything—just be who you are.  If you are feeling sad today, feel sad.  If you are angry, be angry (and sin not!).  If you are frustrated, that’s okay, talk to God about whatever is on your mind.  But stop trying to be so strong. 

Now, let me clear, I’m not telling you to forget to put on the whole armor of God.  He instructs us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)  But did you notice that He instructs us to be strong in the Lord.  He’s not expecting you to meet today’s challenges in your own strength.  That’s why Jesus came to restore our relationship with God—to give us access to Him. 

Pages: 1 2
Entrée

Take that Step!

The Manna Chef

Sisters, how many of you have been sitting by, stuck for years, “waiting on God”?  Now, I’m not talking about those Sisters who really have been seeking God and are actually waiting for His command to pursue.  I’m talking to those Sisters who have gotten comfortable sitting idly on the sidelines, reciting that spiritual-sounding adage:  I’m waiting on God.  It’s a familiar response, even when it’s not actually true.  Some of us have been sitting and waiting for so long that our spiritual muscles are experiencing atrophy.  They have lost their power from a lack of use! 

Waiting on God does not mean you sit and do nothing.  Waiting on God is active.  That means you are praying and praising.  You are asking, seeking, and knocking.  You are walking in faith.  You are reading and studying His Word.  You are feeding your spirit man so that your faith will increase to allow you to do what God has called you to do.  Waiting is active.  And it requires some initiative from you.   

Pages: 1 2 3 4