Tag: faith

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Now THAT’S Faith!

The Manna Chef

Today, I was thinking about Jesus’s first miracle—turning water to wine at a wedding.  It must have been some reception since they drank all the wine, right?  In case you need a reminder, here’s the account in John 2:1-9 (NLT).

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee.  Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.  The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”

“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied.  “My time has not yet come.”

But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”  When the jars had been filled, He said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.”  So the servants followed his instructions.

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What Is Your Story?

The Manna Chef

Not long ago, I was asked, “What is your story.  What brought you here?”  It was an interesting question.  When God first told me to pack up my things and move to another city in another state, many folks thought I was crazy.  Why in the world would I leave my family and my church?  It wasn’t like I was a twenty-something looking for adventure.  I was established.  I had a good job.  I had been teaching for a number of years and had finally arrived in the position that I had designed beyond academics.  I was the artistic director, and I’d finally gotten to that point where the work was fulfilling.  Sisters, plain and simple, I was comfortable.  I had settled in the routine and was quite content.  And don’t get it twisted, I was ministering and teaching, and I was extremely active at my church.  I wasn’t just sitting on my laurels; I was trying to represent my Father well on a daily basis.  And right there in the middle of all of my comfort, God spoke and told me to move, to leave everything I’d ever known.  It was my Abraham moment, you know, like in Genesis 12:1-3 when God spoke to Abram and said,

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

At the time, I didn’t think it was as profound as Abraham’s call.  I was just trying to be obedient to the Holy Spirit.  I told my family and my pastor that it was time to move, and I started packing.  It was scary and exhilarating at the same time because I was instructed to move to a city I’d never even visited before.  (Talk about a faith walk!) 

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Do You Believe that He Will?

The Manna Chef

When I was a little girl, I used to love testimony service at church.  I loved hearing about the goodness of the Lord and singing with the congregation.  I remember the saints would say, “God can do anything but fail!” and everyone would shout, “Amen!”  I heard it so often that I believed it even back then.  I learned about the vastness of God, and I witnessed miracles right there in church.  I was taught to have faith in God, to trust Him completely, and to expect Him to move mightily when I was just a child. 

I’m grateful for that foundation I received because, today, I need it more than ever.  I’ve walked with Jesus for a long time, and still I sometimes need to be reminded that He can do anything but fail.  I know that He is not slack concerning His promises, and He has proved to me time and time again that nothing in my life has been left to chance.  I know that God is in control at all times, and He is ordering my very steps every single day.

I want to ask you something today.  How many of you believe that Jesus can move on your behalf, you just aren’t sure if you believe that He will?  There is a big difference.  I encourage you to examine yourself today.  Take a close look at where your faith lies.  If you are believing God for big things, you have to trust that He will actually do them—according to His will.  So, seek His will (and His kingdom) first and watch Him show out on your behalf.  Now, I’m not talking about snapping your fingers and expecting God to perform like your personal genie.  I’m talking about actually seeking His will for your life, obeying what He has commanded you to do, and then walking in total confidence that God will do what He said.

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Whose Steps Are You Following?

The Manna Chef

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:13)

God promised to lead and guide us each day.  That’s why He sent the Holy Spirit; it’s one of His functions.  When we encounter darkness, the Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway.  The Word shows us the way to go, and Jesus is the Light of the world.  When we are surrounded by darkness, we need only keep focused on Jesus to lead us in the way we should go.  And we bring delight to God as we walk in the steps that He provides.  He delights in His way because His way is the right way.  His way is a reflection of His righteousness.

We have been taught that all we need to do is follow Jesus, right?  So then, I wonder at times in the midst of dark, confusing moments in my life, “How can I know God like I do and still end up here?”  You see, I have had many moments in my life when I seemed to go the total opposite of where I should have gone.  Thank God for His infinite grace and mercy!  I have walked with the Lord for a really long time and still manage to fall short daily.  But I have also learned that there is a purpose to everything I have ever experienced—good and bad.  And even in those moments when I decided to take another path, God has always been right there to steer me back on track.  I know God’s hand is upon my life.  He shows me every single day—even when I fall short. 

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Faith-driven or Fear-driven?

The Manna Chef

As I was driving to work one morning, I began to recall past conversations I have had with Lord concerning His plan for my life.  Sisters, let me be real with you right now:  I have not always embraced His plans for me.  On several occasions, I have even been mortified!  I felt like I wasn’t the “right” one to do whatever God was saying or that I simply wasn’t enough for what God had shown me.  Have you ever experienced that moment?

God was so patient with me.  He reminded me of the many battles we have faced and won together.  I really appreciate my walk with the Lord.  It hasn’t always been easy, but I love Him at this very moment more than I ever have before!  I appreciate all that I have experienced—the good and the bad, even the downright awful.  God’s blessings have manifested in my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined.  He truly has been my Superhero more times than I can count.

So now, instead of running when God instructs me to do something, I am learning (notice I said “learning,” it’s a continual process for me) to recognize the presence of fear, acknowledge it, confess it to the Father, and then hand it right over to Him.  I don’t ignore it and pretend that it isn’t there; otherwise that fear may just creep up and try to paralyze me and stop me from pursuing what God has instructed me to possess.  I have learned to call it out and then call on Jesus to help me.  And guess what?  Jesus has always been right there for me!  He has given me His own Word to empower me in those very moments.

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