Tag: ask

Entrée

No More Duct Tape!

The Manna Chef

I went on a girls’ trip with my sisters last year, and we enjoyed some well-needed sister time.  On the way to one of our excursions, we boarded a tour bus that read, “Unforgettable…the best rides of your life.”  As I got onto the bus, I noticed that across the driver’s side was duct tape!  Yes, Sisters, duct tape was holding our bus together!  We made it to our destination, but I remember thinking, “Lord, please just get us there safely.”  I must say that the ride really was unforgettable though! 

It made me wonder, “How many times have we put duct tape on a situation to just make it through the day?”  You know those days—you are running on almost no sleep, but there is so much to do and everyone is calling on you today for help.  (And you can’t let them down.)  You’re exhausted, but you push through to show up for everyone else—even when your body is telling you to rest.  We know how to keep it moving even when we shouldn’t.  Sisters, you are going through your day with duct tape, trying to make something happen and wearing yourself down in the process.

There is a reason our bodies tell us when to slow down.  Whether or not we want to admit it, we do have limits physically.  We have to learn how to be still and rest.  There is a small, still voice that will direct our every step if we’ll just listen to it.  Ask the Lord for a better strategy to accomplish whatever He wants you to accomplish each day, and then ask Him to accompany you throughout the day.

Pages: 1 2 3 4
Entrée

Ask, Seek, and Knock…

The Manna Chef

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV)

This passage of Scripture is not for us to quote, snap our fingers, and expect the Lord to move like a genie.  We, the people of God, sometimes misunderstand and then misuse the text; later, we get discouraged when we don’t see the results we desired because it feels like God isn’t answering our prayers or He’s moving too slowly. 

Pages: 1 2 3 4
Entrée

God’s Got You!

The Manna Chef

God’s got you!  Look, I know that is not grammatically correct, but I need you to really understand that today:  God’s got you right where you are!

God has been speaking to me about supernatural provision and His ability to take care of His children.  Surprisingly, He didn’t send me to Exodus with Moses and the children of Israel or to Elijah and the widow in 1 Kings.  He sent me to a passage that seemed odd at first, and I wondered, “What does this have to do with what You have given me, Lord?” 

But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples.  Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss.  But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!”  And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.

But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.  Luke 22:47-51(NLT)

First of all, let me give you some context here.  This passage describes for us the moment Jesus is betrayed and arrested.  Judas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, led a crowd that included soldiers and temple guards to capture Him.  They carried blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons as they arrived at the olive grove looking for Jesus.  Judas walked over to Jesus and kissed Him to identify the Man they were seeking, and chaos ensued.  The disciples were ready to throw down to defend Jesus.  Peter even drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Malchus.  But Jesus shut it all down, and He healed the man’s ear.  He didn’t condemn the soldiers.  He didn’t yell at Judas.  He didn’t run away.  Before willingly allowing the soldiers to take Him, He performed a miracle and healed Malchus—a man who was there with the crowd to arrest Him.  Even when it seemed as if the enemy was winning, Jesus stopped everything and showed us Who He really is. 

Pages: 1 2
Entrée

Fill Me Up, Lord

The Manna Chef

Have you ever had one of those days when you feel like you simply have nothing else to give?  We get pulled in so many directions sometimes; it can be hard to just catch your breath, let alone function at a high level on a daily basis.  And the demands of everyday life never seem to stop, just a constant pull on you spiritually and naturally.  You ever just get tired of being tired?  I have definitely been there.  It’s in these moments that we have to really press to get into the Presence of the Lord.  He promised to renew us, but sometimes we get so caught up in the chaos that we forget that and try to operate under our own strength.  Well, guess what ladies?  That gets old really fast.  In our own strength, we are extremely limited. 

God recently reminded me that it’s in my weakest moments that His strength is made perfect.  (2 Corinthians 12:9)  He reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you.”  In other words, you have enough and you are enough because I am in control.  It’s in those moments that we rely totally on Him, not our own strength, experiences, or knowledge.  And it’s those times that we have no choice but to turn to God.  And He doesn’t disappoint; God shows up and He shows out.  Well, now God is teaching me how to rely on Him for everything—even those things I think that I have a good handle on.  You know, the day goes a lot smoother when you consult God at the start of the day instead of waiting until a crisis to talk to Him.

God can fulfill our needs in ways we can’t begin to imagine.  There are many examples of God’s ability to move us beyond our own abilities and resources, but the Holy Spirit led me to this one to share.  It’s an example of God’s supernatural provision.

Pages: 1 2 3 4