Tag: Grace

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Lessons from the Fall

The Manna Chef

For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. (Proverbs 24:16 NKJV)

Sisters, I want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, even if it means you fall.  That may sound a little weird, but I want you to step out and allow yourself to experience something beyond what you could have ever imagined.  Step out of the familiar.  Go ahead, Sisters, take that leap!

I recently joined a pretty exclusive club:  those who have fallen off a horse!  Yes, Sisters, I fell, and it was glorious!!  It was one of the best rides I’ve ever been on!  And before I go any further, let me say this right now:  find something that you LOVE and commit to doing it this month, whatever it is that brings you joy and peace. 

Horseback riding is something that I’ve come to love.  It’s a private moment with me and God as He allows me to bond with one of His most beautiful creatures.  Riding has become like therapy for me—I can get away from it all and fully immerse myself in nature.  So, I try to go pretty regularly.

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Chosen

The Manna Chef

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.  (Ephesians 1:4)

Even before God made the world, He already loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy, without fault, in His eyes.  That is amazing to me because I have fallen short so many times.  We are not saved because we deserve it, nor did we do anything to earn it.  We are saved by the grace of God.  He freely offers salvation to us.

God had the plan of your life from the beginning.  How about this?  He had the plan of your life before the beginning.  That’s deep!  He’d planned you before He even formed the world. 

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how God could love such imperfect people.  I’ll admit, I’ve even asked Him, “Why do You love me so much?” 

He answered, “I have always loved You, daughter.  You are indeed the apple of my eye.”  Wow!  Sisters, God has always loved you, too!  Always!  He looked past your sins, your mistakes, your past—even those shady things in your present, just to love you.

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The Second Time Around

The Manna Chef

Jonah 1:1-3

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

We know this story well, don’t we?  How many of us have actually been Jonah.  He fled and made his way to a ship headed in the opposite direction.  And we also know how that turned out:  the Lord sent a storm to the sea to get that brother’s attention.  In order to save the other men on the ship, Jonah suggested they toss him from the ship.  At first, they refused and the storm got much worse.  But once they did, the storm ceased. 

It’s interesting to me that in the midst of Jonah’s disobedience, God still used him to get the attention of those around him.  Verse 16 says, “Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows.”  God’s purpose will always be achieved whether you are obedient or not, just be aware that your actions do have consequences.  Jonah still wasn’t ready to do what God had instructed, so God prepared for an encounter with Jonah inside the belly of a fish for three days and three nights. (Think about the many ways God has to get our attention sometimes.) 

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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.

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