Tag: heart

Entrée

Creative, Able, and Committed

The Manna Chef

You know those moments when you think about your life, even from childhood?  Well, today, I had that moment.  I was thinking about the start of the school year in second grade (yes, I can remember back that far!), when I was placed in the gifted program, “Creative, Able, and Committed.” 

Of course, back then, I didn’t think much about the title of the program; I just knew it meant I was going to another classroom for math and science.  (And later, I would realize that I had to do twice the classwork!)  However, today, God allowed me to reflect on the actual words: creative, able, and committed.  I am all of those things because He designed me that way.  And then, I began to focus on one word: committed. 

Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV) says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

According to Merriam-Webster, commit means to entrust; to pledge or assign for use; to put in charge.  Establish means to institute permanently; to make firm or stable; to set up; to gain acceptance.  Works are tasks or jobs; achievements; everything possessed, available, or belonging to.

Let’s look back at the Scripture:  Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

In other words, entrust God with everything you are and do, and He will set you up for success because your thoughts are shaped by Him.

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

From My Heart to Yours

The Manna Chef

I want you do to something for me.  Think about those conversations that you’ve had with the Lord when He just whispers in your spirit about the plans He has for you.  You know, those dreams that have been inside you for as long as you can remember.  What have you been dreaming about lately, or have you gotten so distracted with life that you’ve stopped dreaming?  God has placed some amazing things inside of you, and I really want you to allow Him to show you the real you, the one He formed with His own hands (the vessel He breathed life into).  Do you see her? 

God has placed gifts, talents, and abilities in you to bring Him glory.  I’m not going to talk about the parable of the talents.  (That one is for another day.)  Instead, I want to bring your attention to Philippians 2:13.  It says, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”  He wants us to thrive, and it is for His good pleasure.  Sisters, you bring our Father joy!  He has so much love for you that it cannot be contained.  He delights in you.  Do you really know that?  Our Father delights in us.  And guess what?  Those gifts that you carry on the inside give glory to God and encourage others to develop their gifts for His Kingdom.

Pages: 1 2