Tag: joy

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Lord, Help Me Find Balance

The Manna Chef

In ministry, and life in general, one of the most important but often neglected matters is maintaining balance.  We are not spiritual super heroes walking around rescuing people.  We have been chosen by God to fulfill a function in the body of Christ, but don’t get it twisted, we are still human.  You are a spirit, possessing a soul, living in a fleshly body—and that body has real limitations. Mark 14:38 reminds us that although our spirit may be willing, our flesh is weak.  We need balance to help us to be effective in the work God has called us to do. 

It’s possible to lose your balance simply because you are overextended.  You can be so busy doing the Lord’s work that you wear yourself out.  God doesn’t get the glory out of you wearing yourself down.  He wants relationship with you more than seeing your name on the roster of 20 different church ministries.  Learn to say no.  If God hasn’t instructed you to do something, you’d be wise not to pursue it.

Think about things that throw us off balance:

Traffic, running late, putting out fires at work, the kids acting up, the spouse acting up, illness interrupts life, the car breaks down, the bills are piling up, and things just are not going as planned.

We get off balance when things move out of our control.  I have learned that there are some things I can control, and it is my responsibility to do so.  But there are other things, many other things, that are beyond my control.  Why wear myself out over something I can’t control?  Those things simply need to be turned over to God.  I can’t do anything about it anyway.

Maybe getting caught in traffic made you take time to breathe and talk to God?  He could be slowing you down to prevent you from a tragedy.  Have you ever made it through traffic to find that there was a horrific accident?  (God protects us every day from dangers seen and unseen.)  Maybe that issue with the kids or the spouse is your wake-up call that there are a few things that need to be addressed in your home.  Your home life should take priority in your life.  Children shouldn’t have to compete with the church for their parents’ attention. Maybe the craziness at work is stretching you to grow, preparing you for your next job.  Are you allowing your light to shine in the midst of the chaos?   

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A Good Laugh

The Manna Chef

When was the last time you laughed until tears streamed down your cheeks?  I’m talking about that laugh that comes from deep down inside your belly—you know, the one that can sometimes leave you with a cramp in your side?  When was the last time you had one of those?  Or when the laughter erupts inside you, and not only are you unable to contain it, you don’t even want to?  When was the last time you experienced that laugh?

I know there are all kinds of reasons to cry right now from the frustrations in our lives.  We are painfully aware of that.  But today, I want to challenge you to release the negativity and find something to laugh about; find the humor in a situation that is far from humorous. 

Why would I ask you to do something that may sound completely ridiculous?  Well, Ecclesiastes  3:4 tells us, there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh.”  We’ve spent enough time in tears, haven’t we?  So, let’s take some time to laugh.  We don’t have to be so serious all of the time.  Give yourself a break today.  Laugh.  Relax.  Smile.  And then laugh again.  Allow yourself to feel joy throughout the day! 

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Will You Rejoice?

The Manna Chef

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

“This” day—the one we are experiencing right now—is full of the blessings and manifested promises of God.  Sure, there are challenges, but God is right there with us in the midst of them.  We spend a lot of time in the past or worrying about the future.

Stop looking back at yesterday and wasting energy over things you cannot change.  You can’t live your life looking in the rear view mirror.  Quit stressing over the uncertainty of tomorrow.  God made this day—TODAY—so appreciate it.  Notice the beauty in this day.  There is an anointing for this day.  Choose to rejoice; your will is involved.  And that’s where we have to see our responsibility in how we respond to each day. 

Our will expresses our desire, our consent, our capability, our determination, and our persistence.  (There’s no doubt that I am going to do it because “will” is used, not “might.”)  My will indicates my determination to do something and includes my passion for seeing it through.  It demonstrates my power to choose.

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Never Alone

The Manna Chef

God reminds us in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” It’s so important that you really hold on to that promise, because, let’s be honest, life can be difficult sometimes. The enemy wants you to be so overwhelmed that you believe God has left you and that you are all alone.

The enemy says things like:

  • “Nobody understands how you really feel anyway.”
  • “They don’t care about you; if they did, they would have done something to help you by now.”
  • “God doesn’t really love you, and He isn’t concerned about you for real. If He was, He wouldn’t allow you to go through something like this.”
  • “What’s the use of living right if all you do is struggle from one day to the next?”
  • “The people at church can’t help you anyway, so why even go?”
  • “God has more important things to do than to be concerned about your little problems.”
  • “Don’t call [any sister in Christ]. She has her own problems to deal with. You’ll just be a bother.”
  • “Nobody can help you anyway, so why even talk about it?”
  • “God has forgotten all about you.”

Sometimes we even add to his attack with our own thoughts:

  • “I deserve to be alone because of what I’ve done.”
  • “Maybe I’m just being punished, so I might as well deal with it.”
  • “I don’t need help; I can figure this out all by myself.”

Let me be really clear here: GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. He has always been with you, and He has always cared about you. Sisters, you matter to God! Let me say that again: YOU MATTER TO GOD!

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Do You Really Know Who You Serve?

The Manna Chef

God has been speaking to me about how little His people truly understand how great He is.  Our limited understanding cannot begin to comprehend His majesty, His sovereignty, or His character. 

Isaiah 40:12-31 gives us a glimpse of:

  • God’s power to create
  • God’s provision to sustain
  • God’s continued Presence to help

God spoke the world into existence.  Your words matter, so speak to life to everything around you.  We carry that creative power on the inside of us.  That’s why we have the power to influence the atmosphere.  Use your authority carefully.

God sustains us like no one else can.  He provides the vision and the provision.  He provides the manna to us each day, a right now word for our lives.  And His help is ever-present.  He’s always there; we just need to get into position.

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