Category: Entrée

Entrée

For Just a Moment…

The Manna Chef

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.  (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)

Sisters, I want you to do something for me—no, do it for you.  For a moment, stop everything and just take a breath, one deep breath. Today, I want you to intentionally rest.  Life is busy; we all know that.  But we need to take time to rest in the Lord, especially when life gets too busy! 

Today, take a break from all those plans, those to-do lists, and that ridiculously long agenda and choose to rest in the arms of your Heavenly Father.  Doesn’t that sound wonderful—to rest safely in His arms?

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Entrée

“When” Not “If”

The Manna Chef

This morning, as I was reading Isaiah 43:2 (NLT), God told me to take a closer look at the words in the Scripture.  Well, actually one word—when. 

When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.

The Scripture doesn’t say “if you go through deep waters…”  It says “when.”  In other words, at some point in our lives, we are going to have to face some deep waters, some rivers of difficulty, and the fire of oppression.  If you haven’t encountered those types of situations, as my mom used to say, “Keep living!” 

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Entrée

God’s Math!

The Manna Chef

Have you ever noticed that God has a way of working beyond the limits that you seem to face every day?  When I was a student, one of my favorite subjects was math.  And years later, when I was a classroom teacher, I spent a lot of time teaching math to my own students.  (Any of my former students out there remember writing “I love math!” at the top of your papers?)   

God has been blowing my mind lately with His ability to work outside of the rules of mathematics.  I encourage you today to truly believe that God can move beyond what you see or even what you are used to experiencing.  When we are open to the possibilities that God presents, He can do some extraordinary multiplication (instead of just adding to provide increase).  For anyone struggling with faith to believe that God will provide for you no matter what, I’d like to share a few illustrations of how God moves beyond our limitations.

In John 6:9-14, Jesus took two fish and five loaves of bread and fed over 5,000 people, and there were many more than 5,000 present because only the men had been counted!  Verse 13 adds a bit more emphasis to the revelation of this miracle: there were even leftovers! The Scripture says that “over and above” remained.  The disciples were able to fill twelve baskets with leftovers!  That image amazes me!  They started with very little and had baskets of leftovers?  The people ended up with way more than they even started with.  Have you ever been there?

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Entrée

Into Your Hands

The Manna Chef

By this time, it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.  The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.  Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”  And with those words he breathed his last.  Luke 23:44-46 (NLT)

This passage is commonly referred to as the seventh of the “Last Words of Jesus” during His Crucifixion.  Jesus suffered an agonizing death on the cross for you and me, and all of nature reacted to His suffering.  The Bible says that the light from the Sun was gone.  Darkness covered the entire land for about three hours in the middle of the day!  And all of a sudden, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.  Sisters, let me explain why that particular detail is significant.

The Temple was composed of three parts: 

  • The outer court for all the people;
  • The Holy Place, where only the priest could enter; and
  • The Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies, where the High priest alone could enter once a year to atone for the sins of the people.    

It was in the Holy of Holies that the Ark of the Covenant, and God’s Presence with it, rested. 

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Entrée

I’m Right Here

The Manna Chef

This morning, as I sat in traffic (like I do most mornings), I asked God for fresh Manna for His daughters.  I literally asked, “Father, what do You have for Your daughters today?  What am I supposed to tell them?”  And for those who know me, you know that not too much later, I sat still with a pen in my hand and simply waited for God to speak.  And God said, “Tell them, I’m right here.”

He continued speaking to each one of us: 

Beloved, I see you, and I know every detail about your current circumstance.  Do not fret.  Don’t be discouraged.  I am right here with you.  I have always been here, and I will always be with you.  Cast your cares upon Me today, and let Me carry what you were never designed to carry.  I need your hands to be free, so that you can receive from Me.  I have blessings beyond what you have ever imagined, and they are waiting for you.  Look beyond the distractions around you and seek My face.  I have what you need; you don’t need to look anywhere else.  Look to Me.  Come to Me.  I’m right here.  I love you more than your mind can conceive.  I care about every single detail concerning you.  I am right here.  Trust Me, daughter.  I’m here.”

Sisters, I am in tears right now, knowing that God is ready to bless His daughters.  Please receive what the Father is saying directly to you right now.  He sees.  He knows.  He understands.  He cares.  And He’s Almighty God.

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”  (Hebrews 13:5b NLT)