Tag: peace

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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)

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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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Perfect Peace

The Manna Chef

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV)

Recently, I had to hold on to those Scriptures for my sanity and my life!  My mind was all over the place, trying to figure out what was clearly beyond my own capacity to process.  So, instead of stressing myself out (I was almost in tears), I just chose to release it to God, to hand it right over.  I decided to breathe deeply and read the Word.  It was all I had really, because I had no control over what was going on around me. 

In this particular season, I have been isolated from the familiar.  I’m away from my close-knit family by divine design, I’m certain.  God has set me aside to pour into me.  Honestly, I welcome it.  I appreciate His ability to create rest for me wherever I am.  But on that day, that restful state had been under attack, and it was through someone very close to me.

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Not Another Word

The Manna Chef

Have you ever been so angry with someone that you felt, I mean actually felt, heat rising in your chest? Well, sisters, I have, and I’m going to share something with you today. Clearly, I am a work in progress, but I am learning, and it’s definitely worth sharing with you!

First of all, let’s be clear, being angry is not sin. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty over being angry. Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV) says, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” God does not say, “Don’t get angry.” He did not say that being angry makes you unholy. He said to be angry but don’t let the anger cause you to sin. And then He goes even further to tell you to resolve the issue so that you don’t leave an avenue for the enemy to wreak havoc.

I try to stay in constant communication with the Father because I need Him to direct my very words. I’m so serious, too! I call on Jesus all day long: in the car in the middle of traffic, at work, at home while I’m cooking dinner…You get the picture!

I know that I am gifted with words. Simply put: I love words. I always have. I love how they are used. I love how phrases fit together and how one word can speak volumes. (I was that kid who loved reading the dictionary.) God has groomed me to be very effective in communicating my thoughts into words. But, let me make this clear: that can be problematic sometimes because it can get me into trouble if I really say what I think without seeking the Lord first.

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Peace, the Road to Rest

The Manna Chef

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Our theme for today is PEACE.

Peace: a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

The work of righteousness will be peace,

And the effect of righteousness,  quietness and assurance forever.

My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,

In secure dwellings, and in resting places (Isaiah 32:17-18, NKJV)

And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.

My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.  (Isaiah 32:17-18, Amp)

Righteousness leads us to peace and peace leads us to rest.  The place of rest is both spiritual and physical.  You can find yourself in chaotic environments and not be affected because you’ve found your way to the secret place of peace in God.  Psalm 91 reminds us: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  God is our refuge and fortress, our ever-present help in times of trouble.  He is always there.  That is why we can have peace in the midst of our storms, because we know Who is in control at all times.

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